It had been a long hard drive and Gambit was beyond tired of travelling when he pulled his bike up the massive circular drive. He let out a low whistle as he came to a stop in front of an impressive stone stairway leading to towering double oak doors. Kicking out the stand he pulled off his helmet and sat staring at the opulent building before him. It was huge. Bigger even than his father's house back in New Orleans. Large windows dominated the front of the house with wisps of ivy creeping and twisting up towards her roof line. Wings spread from either side, giving an old English feel to the sprawling chateau. It looked far more like an old world manor than a school. Yet 'Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters" was proudly scrawled on a sign out front.
For a split second he considered putting his helmet back on and speeding away despite how tired he was. This wasn't him. He knew nothing of life inside a school. Hell, he'd never even gone to school himself. But then, he really had no where else to go. Bridges had been burnt that could never be rebuilt. That, and Logan's offer had sounded intriguing. He was to head a special ops team. One that went in and did the things the squeaky clean X-men couldn't or wouldn't be seen doing. Things like breaking into government facilities to free captured mutants or recon work where being caught would mean death. Things done in the dark of night away from prying eyes.
His specialty.
He liked the idea of helping mutants using his specific skill set. It wasn't often he got to use them for good. Being trained as a thief from near infancy didn't exactly lend itself towards legal work. He was tired of being the bad guy. Tired of stealing for his father. Tired of the guild and its endless rules and drama. For being only twenty four, he was surprisingly cynical. It was time for a change and with a little luck, this just might be the place for him to get it. He wanted to look into the mirror and not see the jaded edge in his own eyes. Dieu, he just wanted to feel his own damn age for once.
"Wasn't sure you'd show" a gravelly voice rumbled up at him. Gambit turned to face the man who had offered him this chance at salvation. Small and hairy, he chomped on the stub of his cigar while eyeing him as if he expected him to bolt at any moment.
"I wasn't so sure I would either" Gambit returned, gazing once more at the enormous house.
Logan nodded, a small smile playing about his mouth. "I hope you're ready for this" a shuddering crash sounded behind the large oak front doors followed by a high pitched shriek of outrage.
Logan watched as the young man on the bike paled. "Dieu, what was that"
Sighing Logan flicked away the cigar stub and gestured towards the doors. "Welcome to life at the mansion."
Just then there was a puff of smoke and a blue furred mutant with startling yellow eyes and a long forked tail appeared before disappearing and reappearing again a moment later up in a nearby tree. "You haven't seen me" he whispered urgently, the thickness of his accent softening the words so they seemed to roll together into a jumble that he could only distinguish as European.
Perplexed, Gambit turned back just in time to see the door thrust open and a very angry, very beautiful young woman appear waving about a hair brush coated in what appeared to be thick blue fur. Shoving a strand of her platinum bangs away from her face she hollered up at the tree. "You think I don't see you up there you good for nothing fur ball. Next time use your own damn brush" and she hucked the offending object at the tree hitting the cowering mutant and knocking him from his perch. Gambit reflexively moved to get off his bike to help, but the furred mutant fell for only an instant before disappearing in a puff of smoke and reappearing safely on the ground.
Without another word the woman stormed back inside, her chocolaty curls bouncing while Gambit gaped after her in shock. What the hell had he gotten himself into.
Grinning unprecedentedly, the fuzzy mutant shrugged at the pair and nimbly picked up the brush with his tail, scampering back into the mansion.
"Rogue wait up. Don't be mad" he called after her the door slamming behind him with a shuddering bang. Remy was left standing, gaping at the door as if he expected it to sprout a mouth and teeth at any moment.
Amused, Logan nudged the younger man's shoulder "C'mon Gumbo. I'll show you where you can put your stuff."
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The rest of his first day was far less eventful, though no less interesting. Gambit met with the other members who would be part of his team. They consisted of a Brazillian man named Roberto with the ability to turn himself into a solid form of energy absorbed from the sun. When in use of his power he would turn into a non reflective black mass with pure white eyes and could create concussive blasts that had Remy clamping his palms over his ears. He could also hover, propelling himself with smaller blasts, though his aim wasn't the best and he often bumped into his teammates before losing his balance and falling over. Despite his slight clumsiness, he had an easy smile and boundless enthusiasm. His codename- Sunspot.
Next was a fellow southerner. Born in Kentucky, a Mr. Sam Guthrie gave him a polite handshake upon being introduced. Sam had the ability to become an unstoppable force, moving so quickly as to simulate flight. Once he got going he was near indestructible He could also use the energy he created to shield his fellow teammates, or cage his enemies though his control lessened the larger the field he created. His codename was Cannonball. Despite the formal way he addressed him, Gambit liked him immediately. He had the manners that were so common at home and so lacking up North.
Next Gambit was introduced to the largest man he had ever seen. A bulky Russian who grasped his hand in a handshake that jarred his teeth. Piotr had an interesting ability. He could plate his entire large form in sheets of organic metal, making his impressive bulk even more considerable. When in his metal state, Piotr needed no food, water not even air to survive. He was aptly named Colossus.
"Colossus won't be coming with you on all your missions" Logan told him noting Gambit's skeptical stare. "He's the heavy hitter we bring in when we need a little extra muscle"
"He's certainly got it to spare" Gambit quipped eyeing the behemoth.
Piotr only laughed. Gambit spent some time talking with the men, getting to know them. They had an easy dynamic between them. One he felt would work well in combat situations. Roberto was carefree and rambunctious, while Sam was mellow and good natured and Piotr was a surprisingly gentle giant who could be brought in to break up a fight.
He found himself eager to begin working with these men, and perhaps getting to know some of the beauties he had seen on his quick tour of the house. Gambit grinned to himself. Maybe this would work out after all.
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Having left the Cajun with his new teammates, Logan went off in search of his favorite member of the mansion. Rogue had been busting her butt training so that she could be a proper part of the X-team. She wanted more than anything to be included on missions. Though she was his favorite, Logan had been tough on her, perhaps tougher than he would have been with anyone else. He wanted to know that when she finally went out into the real world she would be able to handle it. The threats the team faced were often some of the strangest and most dangerous he had ever encountered, and that was saying something considering the long life he had lived.
She had taken each refusal to promote her to full team status with surprising good grace considering the Southern temper she was know for. He was proud of the way she had tackled the tasks he'd laid before her. Even prouder of the woman she had become.
Following her scent he braved the common room and found her curled up reading a book amongst the scattered chaos of her fellow mutants.
"Rogue can I talk to you for a minute" he gestured to the hallway and after placing a scrap of paper between the pages to mark her place, she stood and followed.
It was easier to hear out here in the hall, though it couldn't quite be called quiet. No place in the mansion was truly quiet. There were just too many living under one roof for that to be a possibility, not withstanding the range of mutant abilities that were constantly being tested within the grounds. Some days he wondered how the walls of this place still stood. Dragging himself back to the task at hand he saw Rogue looking up at him expectantly.
"What's up Logan"
he cleared his throat, uncomfortable with her intense scrutiny. "You've been training really hard lately"
"Beat level twelve in the danger room" she told him smugly.
He smiled at the pride in her voice "I saw that. You've shown real dedication, even when I held you back and said you weren't ready. You never quit, just trained harder, fought meaner. I'm real proud of you Stripes"
She smiled brightly and he cleared his throat in discomfort. "It's the decision of the team and myself that you be promoted. You are now a full fledged member of the X-team. You'll go on missions and..."
He was cut off by her loud squeal of joy as she threw her arms around him. "Thank you thank you thank you" she chanted.
He cleared his throat gruffly and she abruptly let him go looking faintly chagrined. "Sorry, sorry I meant thank you Sir" she mock saluted, her drawl turning her attempt at a professional response into a thing of amusement.
Logan rolled his eyes. A full fledged member for two minutes and already she was giving him sass. "Get going Scamp" he mock ordered "And make sure you're ready if we need you"
"I promise I will be Logan, Thank you." she gripped his hand tightly between her two gloved ones and squeezed in affection. Buoyant she let him go, turning and racing back into the common room, delight clear on her pretty face.
Logan smiled, proud of the girl he considered his own. "Congratulations Stripes" he said to himself and grabbing one of his cigars he headed out to the back porch to enjoy the fall evening. Things were shaping up nicely. Gambit had agreed to Captain his special ops team, Rogue was finally ready for field work. He smiled to himself, feeling down right peaceful.
"Heads up" came the call seconds before a whirling force shot past him knocking the unlit cigar from his mouth. Logan turned his eyes heavenward. Then again, maybe he's better just call it a night.
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Author's notes
So after a two year hiatus I'm back. I had the idea for this story years ago but with life being so busy, am only sitting down now to write it.
I'd love to hear what you think