Chapter One- Queen of Hearts

Land. His hands grip the moist grass, pulling himself out of the water. Thank God he thought, away from the potential grip of angry gators jaws. And Angry Rippers.

Not only had this entire thing spiraled out of control on a level that rivaled the Acolytes with some free time, but it has spiraled out of control in a way that does not favor him.

Here he is, with people who thought he had kidnapped their friends- and through his empathy he could feel the bond between Rogue and the X-men went well beyond friends. It went to proportions of- dare he say it- family.

It was odd, because while Gambit had definitely felt the need to rescue his pere* he knew that Rogue had felt abandoned. He hadn't particularly been paying attention to the others feelings when he had been watching her. He had been paying attention only to her emotions. He could now look back and admit that he had simply been trying to justify his actions.

He does quietly acknowledge that he did have a way back for Rogue. A way for her to look at what she would be leaving. He would have showed her what she could have in the world, and by smartly leaving her back pack covered in his sent- he had ensured that they would come and find himself and Rogue. Though, he they were way ahead of schedule. They weren't supposed to show up so early.

Had things out as he had planned, the X-men would show up just briefly after he had introduced her to the family- after he had saved his pere. After his family showed their gratitude for her. After he had apologized for using her- that is, if she had found out. Then the x-men would have tracked him down with Rogue. He would offer her a life with him and his family, to help guide her. The X-men would ask her to come back, and they were her friends. She would undoubtedly go back with her friends, he had no doubt in his mind, but he really did feel she had needed this. Or something like it, or she would never be sure. She would never get up the guts to leave by herself, he could feel it in her lack of resolve, she would never be sure of her place in the house- which he could feel by her lack of dedication.

Now, now he saw the error of his ways. He could feel anger, an anger akin to (and even rivaling) that of a parent finding a person who had kidnapped their kid. The bonds went so much deeper than he had ever cared to assume. The X-men was Rogue's family.

An anger, wild and out of control, lashed around above him.

Merde** he thought to himself as strong grab him and pull him up.

For half a moment he feels terror, as he rightfully should. He's staring into the murderous eyes of the one and only Wolverine.

The man wastes no time, unsheathing his claws with one hand pulled back in the air- as if readying himself for one deadly punch.

And I risked all of this for mon pere? How stupid of me.

He knows now is the time to move for his cards, or say some witty last words, but he's still frozen very uncharacteristically in terror, maybe it's because he knows that he is finally getting what is coming to him. He probably deserves this. He has kidnapped Rogue. He has used her, and hurt her-infact he can still hear her voice echo in his head You used me just like everyone else.

He is terrified, but for a moment he knows that it is a very willing thing. He is not moving, not defending himself, because he has chosen so.

"You've got it bub!" he snarls, his -ehem- not so pleasant breath wafting over Gambit's face.

"Logan Stop!" her belle*** voice rang out. The Wolverine's head lurched to the side, looking at Rogue.

A smile plays on Gambit's lips. What is she doing? He thinks to himself, amused, scared, and confused all at once. She doesn't owe him anything. Infact he owes her a great dept. What a strange fille****.

"Please," she sounds- desperate?- he wasn't sure, "Leave him alone."

Something inside of Wolverine switches. Gambit can feel it. Wolverine is no longer spitting mad, he is now concerned, for Rogue. There is a strong feeling of affection coming off of the Wolverine, and the fact that Wolverine let out a strangled groan of irritation before letting Gambit slide down the tree and land safely on the ground gave a lot of credit to how much sway Rogue had over Wolverine.

Remmy lets most of the terror from moments before roll off of him. Though like water does when you come out of the pool- you may not be covered, but your still damp. No longer covered in fear, but simply damp in it he reaches his hands down and grabs the side of his trench coat. His hands nervously wringing the water out.

Part of it was because he knew he needed to get the water out so that a moldy smell wasn't following him around, and part of it was because he had to do something with his hands when such an emotion was lingering.

"I'm gonna want some answers Rogue." Wolverine mutters to Rogue, sounding slightly like an over protective father. If he's not, then I don't know what is. Remy thought to himself.

"You'll get 'em." Rogue says in both a strong and tired tone. How one manages to do so was well beyond Gambit. "Everything's okay." She says now, slowly turning her head to lay her eyes on the Cajun.

His lips turn up, he is truly happy. He knows that that was meant for both the X-geeks, and himself. She forgave him. This gave Gambit an odd thrill, as he had never really had cared if anyone forgave him.

Now he wanted her forgiveness. He had admired her long before he had kidnapped her, the manner in which she held herself, strong and brave despite the fact that she had had no support. Or so he'd thought he chuckled nervously to himself. Yes, the X-men was definitely the support to Rogue that Henri was to Remmy.

She crosses her arms, looking at him, almost as if looking for an explanation to all of this.

Gambit knows he would be more than happy to give her one, "Rogue-" he starts, sadness, appreciation, admiration, gratitude, an unspoken apology- so many emotions packed into one word.

"Don't," she stops him, walking up to get closer so she can lower her voice a bit, "You just did the wrong thing for the right reasons." acceptance, approval radiating both from her voice, and her emotions. How odd.

"So-" he trails, knowing all to well what was coming- It was hurtful almost, and he felt sad, "what now?"

"I'm going back with the X-men. I don't care what you do." he could sense the lie in her voice. She was indeed going back with X-men (this upset him more than he cared to say, he had expected this- planned for it even) she did however care what he did.

Gambit felt odd, it wasn't often he felt attachment- or really any- positive emotion from others directed towards him. Aside from Henri. And that Loon Pyro.

"Sure y' don't." he said, walking behind her, slipping his hand into one of his pockets. A smile unconsciously forming on his face as a card slipped into his hand. He charged it just enough to get the water to sizzle off before releasing the charge.

"Well- I better go." she said. Going to walk off. He could sense the sudden worry, the fear, and the doubt creeping over her. No, no. The only thing she could get out of this could not go missed.

He grabbed for her hand. "You will be fine cherie*****." He allows his voice to become soothing, and reassuring. "You got people watching over you."

She looks at him, sensing the double meaning. Before on the train, he had said It is nice having someone to watch over you Rogue. He had been offering his hand in friendship at the time, but he was telling her that he was not the only one with his words. He let it bleed through his empathy into her own emotions.

He walked away, allowing the card to slip from his hand and into hers.

His Queen of Hearts.

He knew that he would not be able to leave his lady alone for too long. No, she just couldn't do without the company.

He was just talking about the card, of course.

Queen of Hearts- Family. Usually a maternal figure. Reliable. Will not leave.

A/N:

*pere- Father

**Merde- Shit

***Belle- Beautiful

****Fille- Girl

This is an older fandom- that I just joined, but I'm completely in love. So if you happen to stumble across this, I would absolutely love to know if you like it. Because it can get discouraging when you write a lot, and then- eh- get nothing.

Thank you for reading anyway! It makes me very happy, that you even read words that I wrote down. So thank you! :) Have a blessed day bebe!