Okay okay okay! Let's be honest, I wasn't even going to update today but then I saw the reviews from New Moon Night, Trisha, Lucida Lownes, and LadyPeneloSolidor I couldn't help myself. So thank you thank you thank you for the kinds words! It's very appreciated.


Ace of Hearts

Chapter Two - Promises

Rogue thought about it. The more she thought about, the more confused she became. It really didn't make sense, it really didn't.

Sitting on her bed, she reached into her pocket to retrieve her ever-present King of Hearts card. She pressed her lips to where Gambit's had been, two years ago. The connection was not fleeting, it was not lost, and it was most definitely renewed now that she had her Ace.

She shook her head, it didn't make sense! Remy had told her that he loved her, and she in turn had said it back. She believed him, she knew he was sincere, and she meant it when she said it back.

But how could she? How could he? They had only been together for a brief moment that night, and those few twisted days in New Orleans. It didn't make sense that he should love her, and she him. How did she know what love was? She thought she didn't until she heard the words from Remy. When the words escaped his lips, not only did she believe them, but she felt the too. She felt her chest fill with an unfamiliar feeling that she couldn't stop and her heart started beating too fast, and then she couldn't help but say it back.

She slipped the King back into her pocket, making sure to keep it on herself at all times, and lifted the Ace of Hearts off the bed in front of her.

"Remy," she whispered the name one last time, laced with excitement. She pulled open the drawer on her nightstand to place the new card with the others, but then thought better of it. Closing the drawer, she placed the Ace under her pillow. Hopefully her dreams would be full of hope as well.

She shook her head; it was getting late and she had things to do. She had school tomorrow, but for once she was excited. She only had a week left and then she was done. Graduation was at her fingertips and she couldn't wait.

It was had to believe that she was finally eighteen. She had so much ahead of her, but she wasn't sure what was next. All the other students, Kurt, Kitty, Bobby, knew what they were doing next. Of course, they all had experienced so much more than she had.

Rogue remembered the night Kitty came home in a daze, flushed, and happy. She told Rogue about her first time with Lance, about what it felt like. Although Kitty was clearly describing the emotional side of things and how it made her feel, Rogue couldn't help but think of the physical aspect.

Rogue tried to imagine someone's hands on her arms, another body flushed against hers, soft caresses up and down her body. Rogue didn't understand it, but she wanted to. All she had to go on was that one kiss from Remy, on that fateful night. It was so light and so soft, him brushing his lips against hers. Although she was embarrassed to admit it, she wondered what it would feel like to have Remy's tongue in her month, to feel Remy's skin on her skin. All she could do was think back to the kiss Remy had given her, her first kiss she wanted to remember. The only other kiss she had ever had was with Cody when she was 13. She never looked back on that night with the feelings of her night with Remy.

The kiss she received from Remy changed everything. It made him feel right. It was what a first kiss should be: loving, sweet, and tender – so very tender.

Of course, she heard more stories from the other students at the mansion; not just about sex, but first kisses, and nervous hugs. She wanted to be one of them.

Now Kitty was going to graduate, young and in love. She could go off into the sunset (figuratively, of course) with Lance and they could have a future. It was a beautiful thing.

The one thing Kitty didn't know – or Lance, Logan, or anyone – was the fact that Rogue was in love too. No one knew, she kept it to herself, but she could feel it. She could feel the love grow, feel her heart swell, every time she received another card in the mail, every time she kissed her King of Hearts card good night, every time she put on her uniform running into a fight, making sure her King was with her (for good luck too, of course).

She said she would wait, and she meant it. She would wait for Remy as long as she had to, although she didn't want to wait that long. When she made the promise, Rogue didn't expect it to be for two years. Forgetting the enigmatic Cajun was not an option, but waiting for him was.

Rogue made the right choice. It wasn't easy, and sometimes it hurt, and most times she could admit to herself that she didn't understand it, but Rogue knew she was waiting for him.

The scary part about it though? Aside from knowing Remy was coming back to Bayville, she wasn't sure what she was waiting for. Her stomach anxiously flipped when she thought about what would happen when she saw him. She wasn't sure, but Rogue knew that it was about time he came back.

It was about time Remy came home to her.

Four weeks later. . .

It had been a month since Rogue received the Ace of Hearts from Remy, but she didn't mind. She trusted him, and believed in him. In fact, if anything, Rogue had a little bit of bounce in her step for the last month; she knew Remy would come back to her.

How did she know? It was the Ace of Hearts of course, Rogue thought arbitrarily as she brushed her hair in front of her mirror. The Ace was the highest card in the deck, the only one that could signify something so important. On top of it, it was the Ace of Hearts, the one card that could bring the King and Queen back together.

Rogue laughed a little to herself, a soft chuckle but heartfelt nonetheless. "Ah nevah knew that Cajun was so deep." She smiled.

Rogue looked at her reflection, finished brushing her hair that now fell to her shoulders. Her white bangs were parted down the middle, leaving white streaks on either side of her face. She had on a simple white polo shirt, but it was stretched to it's limit across her chest. The last two years, her transition from sixteen to eighteen, her figure finally blossomed. She still had a tiny waist and curvy hips, but her top half finally caught up. Her breasts were now a full C cup, and she would secretly giggle to herself when she pictured Remy's reaction to them. She knew that he loved her, that he wouldn't care either way, but she was proud of her body and had been waiting two years for the man she loved to see it.

Along with her simple polo, Rogue had on dark blue jeans, sitting low on her hips, white elbow length gloves, and simple black boots. She dressed like any eighteen year old would (with the exception being the only skin showing was a few inches between her sleeve and glove), but it made her smile.

She never would have dressed like this two years ago. She never would have felt confident enough to dress like this two years ago. She never would have dressed this way before Remy.

It was a beautiful day out, the sun was shining, and Rogue left the doors to her balcony wide open. She enjoyed the warm breeze flowing throughout her room.

Smiling, Rogue could hear the unmistakable sound of a motorcycle outside, sounding like it was getting closer. She smiled again, Logan must be getting home.

But, Logan was all ready home.

Wait, Logan was all ready home.

That could only mean. . .

Rogue felt sick to her stomach momentarily. She was hit with an overwhelming mix of nervousness, anticipation, and excitement.

How long has she waited for this? Too long. She didn't know what to do next – he stomach flip flopped.

. . .

Remy was nervous to say the least, and that Ragin Cajun never got nervous. He didn't know what to do, he didn't even know if Rogue had got the cards he had sent her. Even if she had, it had been two years and to years was an awfully long time.

He shook his head, he should have called her. He couldn't have called her, he didn't have a choice. He couldn't let the guild know he was communicating with people outside the family; he couldn't let them know it was a young girl especially. He couldn't let Belladonna know, tensions were too thick. He wasn't even able to get out of that marriage, and there was no way he could bring up some mutant girl in New York. He didn't trust the phones with the Assassins around (or emails or letters for that matter). Leave no paper trail, it was a simple thief rule. He couldn't call her in front of the Acolytes – it'd be asking for trouble.

So Remy did what he could, he had sent her playing cards hoping she would understand. He had made her promise to not forget him, but he wanted to do all her could to insure that. He knew it wasn't much, but he hoped she'd understood. He hoped she would understand what the Ace of Hearts meant.

Remy had his uniform on, he wasn't looking for a fight but he felt he needed to be prepared. Rogue might not want to see him, and that could mean trouble.

His hand unconsciously went to the pocket on the front of his uniform. He had the pocket put there on purpose, right over his heart. It was a small pocket, just big enough to hold a playing card. He quickly took out the Queen of Hearts card and looked at it for courage. The purple stain on that card lifted his spirits and made his knees week. He kissed his lucky lady and put it back in his pocket, right over his heart, where she belonged.

Of course as he pulled up to the gates of the mansion on his motorcycle, he got a little more nervous. This was as far as his plan went.

He didn't want to get Rogue in trouble, of course; that was his priority. Last time he showed up for her, he may have kind of kidnapped her, and he knew she was in hot water because of it.

He didn't want to do that to her again. His heart dropped, he didn't want to do that again, assuming she was still at the mansion. Two years was a long time, there was a chance she might not even be there.

He figured he might as well dive in head first, straight up to the door no less. Remy punched in the security code he had 'looked up' before he headed to the mansion. When the gates opened, he revved his motorcycle again and drove straight up the drive, his heart beating hard in his chest.

Killing the engine in front of the mansion door, Remy hopped off the bike with a swagger (even though his confidence was wavering underneath the façade). He set his helmet on the seat and headed towards the door.

As he lifted his fist to knock on the door, his stomach in his throat, the door was thrown open forcefully in front of him.

Snarling, Logan grabbed the color of Remy's trench coat, anger in his eyes. "Gambit, " He seethed.

Gambit gave Logan his trademark smirk, his poker face completely unwavering, "Bonjour mon ami! Gambit's glad y' missed 'im."

Taking one hand off his collar, Logan's claws came out. He held them up to Remy's throat. "All right, Bub," He roared, "You give me one reason why I shouldn't gut you right now."

"Ah Wolvie," He winked, "Dis Canju didn' know y'r so kinky."

Logan growled loudly, angrily. He was about to throw Gambit against the wall.

At this point, quite a few students were gathering in the foyer, curiously. This included a rather angry looking Scott Summer.

"Remy!!" Rogue stood at the top of the staircase, facing the foyer. Her heart almost stopped when se saw him. She felt nervous energy flow throughout her body as her heart started beating at too quick a pace.

At Rogue's exclamation, Logan looked up at Rogue, as did Remy and the large group of spectators.

Remy's mouth went dry temporarily and he attempted to swallow. He looked her up and down. She had on just a polo, jeans, and gloves, but she looked sexy as hell. Her legs were hidden in those jeans, but hips looked delicious. As his eyes hit her chest, he felt like he could die right there and be happy. Well, honestly, he'd be really happy if he could get his hands on those breasts. What really got to Remy thought, was not how hot she looked, but the feelings in his body. His chest got tight, and his mind got foggy. "Chere," he breathed quietly, excitedly.

Logan's eyes narrowed, he didn't understand the situation so naturally, it just made him angry.

Rogue's mind went completely blank, she could think of a word to say. She had waited for this moment for two years. Two years! And now she was speechless. Her heart was beating too fast, she thought her knees would give out. She didn't know what to say. As much as part of her just wanted to yell "I love you!" at the top of her lungs, she knew that wasn't right. As feelings of love, lust, and excitement started to swell in her chest, she had to stop herself. Her mind went back to the reasons he left her in the first place as she tried to make some sense of what was happening.

Rogue took a deep breath, her mind working over time. "How was the wedding?"

Gambit pulled out of Logan's grasp. He shrugged.

She was worried he'd be offended by the question but she didn't know what else to say.

He looked up at her. "Julian's dead," He stated flatly.

That broke whatever trance Rogue was in, and she could guess what happened. She knew about Julian, she knew what this could mean. "Oh Remy!" She exclaimed and ran down the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her.

Remy watched her run down the stairs. In stead of hearing her feet hit the ground, he could only hear his heart beating in his ears.

Kitty watched interested. Scott looked annoyed. Logan looked suspicious.

Rogue didn't waste anytime, she didn't hesitate when reached him. She threw her arms around his neck with unmatched enthusiasm.

Well, perhaps Remy could match it. As soon as she was within arm's reach Remy wrapped his arms tight around her waist and lifted her off the ground.

Spinning her in circles, Remy buried his face in her hair. The familiar scent of vanilla and magnolias made him giddy.

Rogue buried her face in the warm, strong chest in front of her. He was back. "Oh Remy."

"Mon chere." Remy had never felt this way before. He was ready for the world to stop at that moment. He set her feet back on the floor. "Y' didn' f'get."

Rogue looked up at him, "Ah promised."

At this point, Remy's reverie was broken as he looked up toward some very confused (and some menacing) eyes. He bent his lips down towards he ear and whispered quietly, "Let's get outta ere, mon chere."

Rogue nodded as she turned to her teammates. "Ah'm goin out. Ah'm not sure when I'll be back, but Ah've got my communicator if yah need anything." Seeing Logan's evil glare, and other looks she didn't want to acknowledge, she was slowly pushing Gambit back towards the front door.

"Stripes," Logan warned. He didn't know what was going on, but he didn't like it.

Before Rogue could respond, Scott looked at her, possibly angry, possibly annoyed, "Rogue, I don't think you should –"

Rogue narrowed her eyes at Scott and abruptly turned on her heel and stomped off towards the door. Many things had changed in two years, but a few things didn't. One that most certainly did not change at all, was how much a pain Scott Summers could be. "Ah'm going out. Ah'll see you later." She grabbed her purse, which was on top of a pile next to the door, and headed outside towards Remy's bike, not turning around again.

Remy followed her, but turned around to wink at Logan, "Dis Cajun jus gonna 'ave t' take un rain check, mon ami."

Logan growled as the door slammed.

Wordlessly, Gambit handed Rogue his spare helmet and put his on himself. There were no other words to say; not here.

Rogue heard her phone beep and she looked down at the screen. All ready, a text message from Kitty?

U R telling me everything l8r! Have fun!

Gambit cleared his throat and Rogue put her phone in her pocket. Seeing Gambit sitting on his bike, she was a little nervous, but hopped on behind him anyway.

As Gambit sped down the drive, he could feel Rogue's arms tighten around his waist. He sped up.


Ooooh boy! Gambit's back in town! Wanna know what's going to happen next? Well let's just say things heat up a little bit. Ooooh baby! This story is 'M' for a reason! Just thought I'd give you something to look forward to!

Anyway, feedback is greatly appreciated. I was a little unsure about the whole first part of this chapter so I'd like to know what everyone thinks!