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Marie stayed silent in Remy's Porsche, believing that striking up a few words from his mouth could only drive her to the brink of insanity. She stared out the window, mesmerized by the dark blue sky and its many shimmering, little, white lights. Such things reminded Marie of home and how quiet life seemed to be before her mutation had taken affect. As a young girl, she would often gaze up at the sky, trying to remember absolutely anything about her mother. But, the woman had died when Marie was no more than the age of three. So, recalling things about her didn't come with ease. Marie felt guilty for being unable to remember. Meanwhile, the memories of others took up the space in Marie's head. (It had become difficult to separate their memories and hers.)
The young X-Man shut her eyes, picturing the look on Bobby's face when Remy had called for her. Marie wanted to see hurt somewhere in his icy blue eyes, but the more she searched for it, the more concern and shock may have shielded it. Or maybe Marie had only been under the delusion that Bobby was jealous. Either way, Marie was somehow still stuck with Remy in his car, who would often glance at her with an expression she couldn't quite seem to read. He didn't wear his usual trademark smirk plastering his face. That meant something was up. Whatever the case, Marie didn't really care as long as he stayed quiet. Talking was not a subject he had been particularly good at, or so Marie seemed to think.
She knew the lack of conversation buzzing the air had been driving Remy crazy, which gave Marie a reason to smile in delight. He had been trying for weeks to get a date with her; and here she was, being less than a decent date. In fact, Marie had been somewhat shocked. Remy could have turned the car around and driven by to the mansion by now. Yet, he hadn't. Clearly, that Swamp Rat was even more persistent than Marie had ever dreamed. He just couldn't take the hint that she was far from being remotely interested in him.
No mattah. This date will be ovah soon enough as soon as that Cajun realizes that Ah ain't his type, she told herself happily.
All the same…, Marie could practically hear the over-exaggerated conversations that Bobby (or worse, Jubilee!) and Kitty were sure to be having. They probably either thought A) Gambit had found a way around Rogue's mutation and thus, he had been getting some or B) They had been having some sort of weird secret relationship and were now ready to make it public. Nothing practical had ever been presumed of anyone. Almost like a normal school. No, it was always with the outrageous and outlandish ideals and notions. Word was out and everybody would soon know about their date, if they hadn't already. Marie rolled her eyes, not allowing possible rumors to bother her.
At least, not tonight. Not when it was so young and beautiful.
Alas, you can always trust the Swamp Rat to spoil such peace with simple words…
"Penny f'r yer t'oughts, Chere?"
Marie sighed, detecting (unnecessary) sympathy in his voice, but all she could hear was gentility and understanding ringing like bells in her ears. All false offers, though, that had been made one too many times before and always denied her in the end. If only she could believe the look in his crimson on black eyes. But the scoundrel had probably given the same stare to many of his female companions before. She was certain of this. It had been the same look she yearned to see on Bobby's face, but always never found. Marie frowned, feeling the crack in her heart. Bobby knew very little about the way he had hurt her. However, that didn't stop everyone else in the Institute from thinking she was whiny. Maybe she was, but it wasn't exactly easy having everybody dodge you in the hallway whenever you walked by; and all because she couldn't touch anyone. Then again, maybe being untouchable had never been reason enough to be absolutely miserable all the time.
"Cherie? Marie, y' still wit' moi?" Remy questioned lightheartedly.
"Oh. Mah apologies, Swamp Rat. Ah guess yer company is less than satisfactory," she replied, pulling back a strand of white hair behind her ear.
"No offense, Chere, but y' ain't exactly de greatest person t' have a chat wit'," Gambit countered. "Least I be tryin'."
"Why, Swampy," Marie wondered aloud. "Why try so hard to get a hold on somethin' ya know ya ain't evah gonna get?"
"Y're a challenge, mah belle. A game dat only a homme like maself can possibly hope t' win. Is dat what y're expectin' moi to say?" Remy chuckled, knowing her had startled Marie with this question.
What now? Is that Cajun readin' mah mind now, too?
"Yeah," Marie retorted, flushing angrily.
"Y're always so sad 'round de Institute. I wanted to cheer y' up. Make y' smile." Gambit said, his orbs on her. Marie giggled, shaking her head. "What?"
"Ya know Ah don't believe a word ya're sayin?" Marie inquired, raising a suspicious eyebrow. "So, why bothah?"
"It's de truth, Chere! If y' know moi as well as y' t'ink y' do, y'd probably discover dat I wouldn't dream o' breakin' hearts. Not on purpose. Sometimes, it jus' happens. An' I especially don' wanna hurt y'." He explained, pulling his car over. "Ah, de park. Care t' talk more here?"
"Do Ah really have a choice?"
"Non."
He made his way out the Porsche. Marie and Remy started their stroll, avoiding each other's gaze. Gambit shoved his hands into pockets, whistling. Marie half-smiled, expecting his smirk to appear on his features at any second.
"So," Marie began, "if ya ain't some sorta play achin' to break mah heart, what exactly are ya then? Why would you go around tellin' everyone 'bout yer latest 'score'?"
"I do have a reputation to uphold," was his reply. "Not everybody can know de real Remy LeBeau."
Right. 'Cause Ah'm really gonna fall for that one.
"Please! If ya really believe Ah'm gonna believe that nonsense, ya can go jump off a cliff." Rogue felt a vague rush of emotions overcome her just as the two finally turned to look at each other.
"F'r y', Chere, anyt'in." The corner of Remy's lips curved upward, somewhat hesitantly. Was he trying not to use his signature smirk tonight?
She glowered up at him. "Predictable Swamp Rat."
"Well den, mah lovely River Rat, let's direct de spotlight on y', shall we? Hmm? What brought y' t' de Institute in de first place?" The Cajun asked.
"Um, it's sorta a l-long story," she stammered, contemplating his reasons for wanting to know about his concern.
Gambit laughed, playfully. "I told Stormy we'd be out f'r awhile. We got time."
Oh, livin' day! Storm knows Ah'm on a date with the mucky ladies man. Could this night get any better?!
Marie had to remember to inhale and exhale properly so that she wouldn't beat Remy right into the ground. "Do ya really want to know?"
"Oui," Remy answered.
"Tough."
"Fine wit' moi," the auburn haired man said coolly. "I understand."
Marie groaned, feeling guilty for no good reason. "Fine! Well, it starts…"
