The vase shattered with a satisfying crash, but it did little to ease Remy's temper. He tore through the room knocking books from shelves, scattering make up, breaking chairs, and even pulling the drawers out of the dresser. Without a thought he flipped the mattress with a grunt and froze. A picture nested on the box spring near the headboard. He dazedly shuffled closer to the photo gingerly lifting it from its resting place. A hot lump rose in his throat but soon passed. He was in the picture with his arm resting around the shoulders of the other person in the photo. He didn't want to think about the white-banged woman in the photo beside him.
He found himself seated on the edge of the box spring taking a better look at the photo. He recognized that coat. That was the time they went skiing. Remy shook his head, boy was he glad they hadn't taken a repeat trip. He would have liked to bask in the memory however cold and uncomfortable it had been, but footsteps coming up the stairs hurried him out of the room.
"Sorry chère, but ya won' be seein' Gambit t'day." He let the picture fall to the ground, hesitated, and ran for the window. He swung easily over the balcony rail and made for the fence without a glance back. Once he knew he was out of sight he slowed down to a walk and made for the apartment he'd decided to take up residence in. It was a bit small for his tastes and the view really could have been better, but it wasn't bad considering the fact that it was free. He hadn't exactly told the landlord that he was moving in.
"Good t'ing, Wolverine's out, " he thought to himself as made his way up the fire escape. His mood lightened considerably when he saw that he still had an apartment for the day. He lifted the window sighing as its wooden frame stuck. He'd have to fight with it again.
"Jus' not Gambit's day…" Remy tried to lower the window back down, but the heat-swollen wood refused to budge. It earned a glare from the Cajun. He grumbled to himself about the heat and slid back down the fire escape. He'd try again later. He was so pleased about the idea of messing her day up, even just a little bit, that he wouldn't have felt at all out of place skipping down the street. He did have a song in his heart after all. He might have even started whistling Dixie, but he was stopped in his tracks by a familiar voice.
"Humph, like I thought you might, like be hiding out around here. Like, what are you trying to prove Gambit?" Kitty's arms were crossed and she was walking toward him with purpose. Remy felt nailed to the spot. If Kitty Pryde of all people could find him so easily he would have to find a new hide out, and fast.
"Ah, mon chère…how is it dat ya found Gambit so easy?" He held his hands out in a weak attempt to placate the brunette. He took a step back.
"Do you like, think I'm stupid? I know where you hide out. Like, stay out of her life." Gambit could have sworn that he heard her hiss. It was time to go before she made a scene.
"Gambit dôn t'ink dat. How 'bout Gambit goes and we dôn t'ink about it anymo'? " He was sure that she would drop it at that. When they'd been around each other in the past she'd never argued with him. The right hook caught him off-guard. Remy toppled to the ground at the unexpected blow. It surprised him more that it hurt, but that didn't stop him from rubbing his cheek gingerly. "Fils de pute," he murmured.
"Like, if you don't fix things with Rogue, then you totally need to leave, and like, I took French. I know what you just said." Despite the light throbbing in his jaw Kitty could not pull off being threatening. Still, he decided that it would be better for him to just play along for now. It wasn't like Kitty would believe his side of the story anyway. He scrambled to his feet.
"Alrigh' Alrigh' Gambit's leavin'. Dôn ya worry." Before she could say another word, or take another swing, Remy was behind her and in the air. He caught the bottom rung of the fire escape with ease and hauled himself onto the landing. Within moments he was on top of the building and out of sight.
He'd stopped at a café to get some lunch and then clambered back onto the roof of the apartment building. Once he was over the shock of Kitty's temper tantrum he'd had the good sense to be indignant about the treatment. Who did that little valley girl think she was? He was the king of hearts, and no one treated him like that. He adjusted on his rooftop perch and took a bite of his sub chewing thoughtfully. It would serve her right if he stole her whole wardrobe. That would be a good one. He let the image of Kitty staring into an empty closet linger in his mind. There was no doubt in his mind that Rogue would hold his little stunt against him the next time they talked…if they talked. Remy stared into the sub as though it were an important manual. It wasn't his fault that Rogue had the single worst power that he'd ever known, and it wasn't his fault that he had fallen in love with her. He took a drink of his tea. Besides, he reasoned, he was probably only interested because she was exactly what he couldn't have. He'd done her a favour by breaking it off and skipping town. Still, he missed her. Hell, he missed their fights. There weren't many people that could hold their own against him in an argument.
His memories kept him company until the sky began to darken. He left his cup and sub wrapper on the roof and slipped back down to his apartment. The evening had cooled the frame. Remy was able to open it without too much hassle. He ducked through the window and surveyed his room. A sleeping bag was unrolled on the floor. A bag of clothes served as a pillow. Other than a chair that he'd found on the side of the road there was no other furnishing. His cell phone screen was green. Finally charged. He unplugged the phone and the charger slipping the charger into the bag of clothes. He took another look around before leaving the room. He swung down from the fire escape ladder once again.
The walk to the institute was a familiar one. Remy was sure that he could have made it with his eyes closed in a wheel chair. What if she was in her room? He would have to be careful to stay out of sight now that she knew he was back in town. He didn't doubt that most of the other students knew about the incident, and it wouldn't surprise him if they had the security grid set on high. His suspicions were confirmed when he arrived. Not that they would be much of a problem. He'd broken into higher security places before, though not many. It was only a hop, skip, and a pole vault to Rogue's window. No problem.
"Nuttin' Gambit can' handle," he said to himself as he adjusted in the tree near her window. It had been useful when they had started seeing each other, but now it served as a convenient place to spy on his ex. She had picked up the vase and most the room seemed to be intact. He didn't remember breaking the mirror. It was in the realm of possibility. Of course he knew that Rogue was just as likely of a culprit after what he'd done today. She was in bed already. A book rested in her lap. She had read a lot back then too. He felt something sticking in his throat. Remy felt like a fool. There she was looking so composed while he hid in a tree on the verge of tears. He wanted to go to her balcony and knock on the window. Wanted to hold her again and breathe in her scent.
"Mais chère…ya always was my jolie catin," he said to the air. He couldn't keep looking at her. As far as he was concerned there was only one viable option. He ventured a bit closer to the window. She didn't notice the movement in the dark. Swallowing back his nervousness Remy lifted his hand to the window and knocked once on the large window.