"Hey there chere," his red on black eyes burning into hers, "aren't you supposed to be fighting me?"

He smirked as she gazed at him. They always seemed to be meeting under undesirable conditions and each time she was simply stuck. He stood there for a moment then stepped a few inches closer. She made no attempt to move, her eyes locked on those glowing eyes. He moved forward, grabbing her hand to pull her into him. As he pulled her close he could feel her heart picking up pace. She blinked as his face moved closer to hers. She tried to clear her thoughts but found it impossible with his breath on her face. Fighting, he said something about fighting. Fighting him? She felt warmth on her palm, looking down to see her hand on his chest. His hand was placed firmly over hers. She began to smile, not sure why but feeling happy anyway.

"Chere…," he whispered.

She just stared, mystified. He smirked then paused, looking past her at the large figure stalking them. He frowned but looked back at the girl with the emerald green eyes. To his surprise she wasn't smiling anymore. She pulled her hand away, punched him in the face. He grabbed his cheek and stepped back. He blinked a few times then gawked at her. Her eyes were filled with anger. She shook her hand out.

"Well I didn't see that one coming," he rubbed his jaw, "why'd you hit me chere?"

"Why? Because you're the enemy. I'm supposed to hit you," she hissed.

"Really? Because I could have sworn you were about to kiss me a second ago," he said while stepping closer yet again, "I know I'd like to kiss you chere."

Her fists lowered, "First of all, my name isn't chere, it's Rogue and second of all you can't kiss me."

He raised his eye brow in amusement, "So you want to be on a first name basis with me chere, I mean Rogue," he closed the gap between them again, "My name is…."

"Gambit. I know who you are," she crossed her arms over her chest and smirked, "Why you're the Swamp Rat, the Cajun charmer that thinks his glowing eyes and devil smile are going to get him anything he wants from anyone he wants."

His brow furrowed, "Well seems like you know me very well then. And all I was trying to do was be nice to you."

She placed her forehead on his chest "I know Cajun," he stood perfectly still as she moved her hands up to his shoulders, "You really need to learn to stay on guard."

She kneed him in the gut as he was about to speak. He doubled over, trying to catch his breath. Saber tooth grabbed her fist, throwing her as she was about to land another blow. Remy watched as she slammed into a tree, hearing her gasp for air as the giant cat choked her. He couldn't help but feel bad. He noticed the fur ball had worn gloves, he had planned this. He raised a giant claw, about to claw her across the chest. He looked away, preparing to hear her scream. Instead he heard a snarled and looked up to see Rogue kicking Saber tooth in the face. That's when he saw it. She bit her lower lip, trying not to scream in pain. She was panting hard, trying to grip her stomach. He saw the blood pouring from five gashes. He watched as she raised a hand, ripping her glove on the feline's massive claw. She flinched slightly at the small cut on her palm. She smirked as she touched his arm with her bare hand. He staggered back as she fell to the ground, panting a little harder. He charged a card, seeing that she hadn't touched Saber tooth long enough to heal herself. He charged a card, throwing it at Saber tooth. He ran quickly, scooping up Rogue then running again before Saber tooth could collect himself. He saw her trying to fight to keep her eyes open. Her face was racked with pain.

"You still with me chere," he looked down at her, "It'd be a real shame if a pretty girl like yourself died."

She just stared at him, trying to stay conscious. She drew in a sharp, labored breath and clutched her stomach. He cradled her as close to him as he could while he jumped on his motorcycle. He sped away quickly, seeing the hairy maniac getting up in his mirror. He tried his best to keep her awake but was having little success. She listened as best as she could, only catching bits and pieces.

"My name is Remy LeBeau," she heard him say at one point.

She smiled, the name suited him. It was beautiful just like him. He stopped at the gate of the institute, pulling her glove off of her hand. He carefully placed her hand on the sensor, trying not to touch her bare skin. The gates opened so he drove up the path, dropping his bike at the patio steps and running to the door. It opened as he approached so he continued to run inside, not sure what awaited him. He ducked out of Wolverine's fist as he swung at Remy. He stopped at the bottom of the steps, looking up as Jean Grey and the Professor descended.

"Help her," he pleaded, "Please help her."

"What did you do to her," he tried to rip her out of Remy's hands.

His grip on Rogue tightened, "Logan, Gambit is not to blame for this. Jean, please take show him the way to the Med Lab and quickly. Logan you stay here."

Remy bowed his head then followed behind Jean. Logan growled but stayed put, watching as the others emptied out of the room. He didn't like having a member of Magneto's team in the house, especially not a master thief and not with one of his little girls. If there were two things that raised Logan's blood pressure it was someone messing with Rogue or someone messing with Laura.

"I don't trust it Charles," Logan grumbled, "No good ever comes when that kid is around."

"I believe he may have feelings for Rogue and that's why he helped her. He risked his life to get her here. Magneto will not be happy about this," he looked up at Wolverine, "He is welcome to stay as long as he likes. Please be nice."

She opened her eyes in a panic, looking around while blinking a few times. She relaxed when she noticed that she was safe in the Med Lab, though fuzzy on how she got there. She was in a room that was white on three walls. The forth wall was facing the exit, it was made entirely of glass. She was examining the room when she caught something out of the corner of her eye. She turned to look at the figure sleeping in the chair. He sat up quickly as she gasped. She pulled the covers over herself, trying to sit up straight. There was a pulling feeling in her stomach, causing her to inhale sharply. He was at her side in a second, helping her sit up and readjusting her pillows.

"Thank you," she winced a bit while saying it.

He returned to his seat, pulling it closer to the bed, "You're very welcome. How's mon chere feeling? You've been out for a couple of hours. I was starting to worry about you."

She blushed, "Why are you here? What I mean is, why are you allowed to be here? Aren't you supposed to be back with Magneto? You should have left me there to die. Why didn't you?"

He looked away, "Couldn't do that petite. You're an awfully pretty girl and I'd hate to have you die without seeing what it's like to kiss you."

Her face turned scarlet, "What?! You saved me so you could kiss me! I ought to kill you right here, you sick bastard!"

He smirked, "Like I said chere, you're an awfully pretty girl. Besides, no matter whose side I'm on I don't agree with someone being ripped to shreds by a giant hairy man. Plus I never got a chance to thank you for punching me in the face, oh and kneeing me in the gut. I tried to be nice and civil with you but you had to result to violence."

"And you should learn to never put your guard down no matter who stands in front of you," she grabbed around her stomach.

He followed her hand then stood up, "You okay? Where does it hurt," he asked while sitting on her bed side, "here, let me look at it for a second. I promise I'm not going to hurt you," he pulled her hand off of her stomach, pulling down the blanket, "well it looks like you need new bandages and a good cleaning cherie. I'll go get the blue homme to do it for you. And if I may comment, you have very soft skin chere."

He stood up, walking across the room to grab Beast. He took a few deep breathes. What was he doing here? He didn't belong here, helping her, living among the X-men. He should have never saved her in the first place. Magneto would have his head for this. And then she said it.

"Hey Remy," his name sounded like honey coming off her sweet lips.

He turned and faced her, "yeah chere?"

She hesitated for a moment then looked up at him, "Thank you for saving my life. For everything really."

He felt his heart melt, his stomach had butterflies, "Anything for you mon chere."

He bowed his head slightly as he went to leave the room. Outside he took a deep breath, unsure whether he should stay or leave after getting Beast. He couldn't let himself do this, couldn't let himself feel this way or get pulled into this life. He was a man for hire, not some do-gooder that helped people because deep down he felt it was the right thing to do. He didn't have those set of morals. He wasn't sure he really had any sort of morals.

"Ah, mister LeBeau," Beast greeted him, "What can I do for you?"

"Rogue is awake and I think her bandages need to be changed," he began, "Also her wounds may need to be cleaned. I nodded off at one point so I'm not sure the last time you did it. Not that I'm trying to tell you how to do your job mind you."

Beast smiled at the younger man, "No, it is time for them to get cleaned again. If you'd like to come with me. I feel Miss Rogue would feel better with you in the room."

He followed the large blue man back to the room. Rogue smiled painfully but pleasantly at Beast as he approached her. He leaned her back, lifting her shirt just above the wounds. The antiseptic stung as he cleaned out the healing gashes in her stomach. Remy offered his hand which Rogue happily squeezed as Beast continued to clean then redress the stitched wounds. She thanked him before he left the room then focused her attention back to the man in the chair.

"So I guess you know by now," she sounded tired and defeated.

"Know what chere," he looked at her, he'd never seen her look so fragile.

"That I can touch people now. That I have control over my powers," she looked down, as though she was ashamed, "well, for the most part anyway."

"I heard the professor and Doctor McCoy saying something about that when we had first came down here," he smiled, "it's nice to finally be able to feel your skin."

"I know that, but I, well I…." she watched as he stood up and sat on the edge of her bed.

He stroked her cheek with his bare hand, "You are an extremely beautiful girl Rogue."

The way he said her name made her heart skip a beat, "But I mean, you won't chase after me anymore. I'm not a challenge so there's really no reason for you to stay," she lowered her head, her hair covering her eyes.

He lifted her chin, making her eyes meet his. He was surprised to see that it looked like she was tearing up. He leaned in slowly, placing a light kiss on her forehead. Her skin tingled where his lips made contact. She could feel the blood rushing to her face, giving her cheeks a pink tint to them. He found it to be the most attractive yet adorable thing he had ever seen. He couldn't help but stroke the side of her face with his hand. Her skin was just so soft, so new to him.

He wrapped his arms around her, "I'm not going anywhere chere, I promise. There's something really special about you and I honestly don't think I could leave even if I wanted to."

They both looked as Logan coughed, "Hate to break up whatever is going on down here but it's time for dinner Gumbo. Also, Professor had one of the guest bedrooms set up for you."

"That was very kind of him," he smiled at Wolverine then turned back to Rogue, "want me to bring my food down here and we can eat together?"

She nodded, "I would like that very much, yes."

He smiled, "I don't mind at all. Always happy to eat with a pretty girl like yourself."

They ate in silence for the most part. She enjoyed his company a lot, more then she thought she would. He stared at her occasionally, realizing she was staring back. They were strangers to each other, yet it didn't feel that way. She couldn't help but smile as they played this looking game.

He glanced at her, "What's your name chere?"

"I told you, my name is Rogue," she stared at him, confused.

He laughed, "No chere, your real name."

She stared blankly for a moment, then her expression changed to anger, "Why do you want to know my real name? It's none of your business!"

His expression saddened, "I was just wondering is all. I mean you know my real name. You don't have to tell me chere."

She sighed, "Anna Marie. My real name is Anna Marie."

"It's a nice name chere, have to say I kind of like Rogue better," he smirked, "fits you."

She stood up then leaned against the bed, he stood up as well. She glanced back at him, his face looked panicked. She winced a bit but began to walk. He walked to her side of the bed, trying to help her but was rejected. She shrugged him off two more times before he gave up. She walked to the bathroom.

He sighed as he sat back down, "You don't always have to be so strong I'm here to help."

She lowered her head as she walked out the door. When she came back he was gone. Her expression saddened. She gasped as she tried to get back into bed. She felt two hands help her up. Once on the bed she looked to see Remy standing there, shirtless.

He smiled as he sat next to her, "See chere, accepting help isn't that hard. And I have no…chere what are you staring at?"

She didn't respond. She just stared at every well-defined muscle etched across his beautiful figure. She reached out her hand, placing it on his chest. His heart rate sped up at her touch. Then he noticed the slight blood seeping through her hospital shirt. He slowly got up to get Beast, all the while feeling a warm spot where her hand was on his chest.

"Well Rogue, your test results are normal and your wounds have completely healed," Beast smiled at her, "I give you a clean bill of health. You are free to go."

"Thank you Mr. McCoy," she smiled and began to walk out of the room but turned, "it's true right? I have my own room now?"

Beast smiled and nodded. She walked out of the room happily. She honestly didn't mind having her best friend Kitty as a roommate but it would be nice to have her own room. She went into her room to take a quick shower. She put on a pair of baggy, worn out sweat pants and a deep purple tank top. She walked out of her room to the room four doors down. She knocked once with no answer. Hesitating for a moment she opened the door slowly. As she did Remy came out of the bathroom, nothing but a towel was draped over his right shoulder. Her jaw dropped and she gasped. He turned, staring at her. Her face turned bright red as her eyes fell from his chest to his lower half.

"I'm so sorry, I was just, well I was….," she tried to remember why she'd gone to his room in the first place.

He pulled the towel around himself, "Chere, can you either come in the room or close the door?"

She still stood there. He walked over to her, pulling her in the room, closing the door behind him. It was late so most of the teachers had gone to bed. The students were doing god knows what. Kitty had probably snuck Lance into her room and Jean was probably with Scott. Rogue sat on Remy's bed, watching him pull on a pair of pants. He then sat down next to her.

"Sorry about that. You just didn't seem to be moving and I didn't want to slam the door in your face," he smiled shyly.

She still just stared at him, "You, um, look really good," she looked down at her lap.

He lifted her chin with his hand. They stared at each other for a moment before he leaned closer to her. She could feel his breath on her face. Her heart started racing. His hand stroked her face as he leaned in even closer. She moved her face closer, closing the space between them. He moved his hand from her face to the back of her head, the other going to the swell of her back. She moaned slightly at his touch, her lips feeling like they were on fire.

She pulled away for a moment, "I just came here to say thank you for helping me these past few weeks and I know you have to go back to Magneto but ah think that…"

He kissed her again, "You talk too much."

She smiled and kissed him again. He pulled her on top of him. She ran her fingers through his hair, kissing all over his face. He kissed along her jaw line to her neck. She moaned softly in his ear, causing him to harden. His hand slid up her shirt. Her hands slid down his neck to his chest. She gripped his shoulders, pulling him on top of her. His hand fumbled around in his dresser drawer. He pulled out a condom.

She looked at him, "I want you."

He kissed her again, slowly taking off her top. She sighed as he slid his hands down her side. Her hands found their way to his pants. She slid his pants off as he did the same. He lifted an eye brow when he realized she wasn't wearing underwear. She smirked, kissing his chest. Man, it had been a long time since a woman had kissed or touched him. He'd almost forgotten how nice it was, but even with the others, this was different. This time meant something. He put the condom on quickly. She felt him enter. It was an odd mixture of pain and pleasure. She gasped and stiffened at first then relaxed, melting under each touch and kiss.

"Remy," her voice was like music to him, "I love you."

He remained quiet, a million thoughts racing through his mind. He looked at her and she smiled. Her smile really was heart stopping. She pulled his face towards hers and kissed him passionately then pulled away. All he could do was stare. He'd dreamt of this moment for months and yet now that it was actually happening he couldn't say anything.

She touched his face gently, "You don't have to say anything back."

She pulled him in closer to her. He kissed her again and again, finally releasing moments later. He laid with her after, stroking her hair as he listened to her breathe. He kissed her forehead and slowly fell asleep.

"Magneto, it's me," she glared in the window again, "Gambit is sleeping with the enemy, he's no longer one of us. Yes I know that we could use this to our advantage but I'm not so sure that he'll come back. Yes of course I will try my best to make that happen. Understood."

She gracefully jumped off the ledge and left the mansion, avoiding all security.

"Chere, chere please, let me explain," he grabbed her wrist.

She pulled away, "I don't want explanations. Look, Remy, it was fun, yeah but come on, did you really think I could really love someone like you? You are a thief and I deserve so much better than you."

She started to laugh. He'd never felt lower in his entire life. The ground around him fell, leaving him face to face with Magneto and Mystique. A girl lay on the floor next to them.

"Chere," he looked around, "Chere? Rogue! Chere!"

"She doesn't really love you," Magneto laughed.

"No, you're wrong," he shouted, "She loves me. Rogue?!"

"Remy," he felt her hand on his shoulders, shaking him, "Remy, Cajun wake up."

His eyes fluttered open, a pair of emerald green eyes meeting them. She smiled gently, running her fingers through his hair. He sat up, realizing he had no clothes on. He pulled the covers up to his waist. She blushed and he noticed she was in one of his baggy, slightly too large tee shirts. His mouth went from a straight line to a huge smile.

"Are you alright? I mean," she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "you seemed like you were having a nightmare or something. I was worried about you. I went to grab a tee shirt and you started mumbling my name."

"It really happened then," he questioned, "We made love and you told me that you loved me. You love me?"

She'd never seen him look so uncertain, all traces of cockiness gone, "Yes, we made love. I told you I love you, I gave you my virginity."

He pulled her in to kiss her, "I love you Rogue, more than anything else in this world."