Disclaimer: Marvel owns all X-Men related things, thought I own this fic and the general concept for it.

Rating: T, may change to M, depending on how far I go with the relationships. Rated for language and mature subject matter.

For ROMY AMV fans: If anyone is interested, go to MySpace videos and search for Rogue Gambit X-Men Evolution videos. Anything by "Care BearKaren" was made by myself. I have made 3 videos for ROMY. Two are from Evolution, the other is a slideshow of images. Hope you guys check 'em out.

Before we get started on this chapter, I'd just like to thank the people that have reviewed by fic as of yet. I can see that people like the choices I have made about certain characters and how to deal with the plot line of X-Men Evolution as I bring it into the years that we all remember of the animated series and the comics.

I had realized that too many fics for Evolution maybe as well be for the original animated series because they change characters, like Gambit, to those versions rather than sticking with the character's actual profile in Evolution. Some people are happy with that choice, some may not. But I'm happy with my choices and I hope that as I keep moving through this fic, introducing some old and new plot lines, that everyone enjoys reading them.

And with that note, on with the story!

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"We're you harmed at all in your escape, Gambit?" Professor Xavier asked the young man as they sat in his office, just arriving back from Las Vegas, "We can offer you any medical attention if you so need it."

"I be a-rahght, Professor. Naught built like other men are. Can handle scraps betta' den most the boys you got here." He replied, thoroughly enjoying the plush chair he had taken a seat in across from the Professor, absorbing his surroundings. He'd never been to the school before. Quite lushly decorated, finely finished. Hard to believe teenage mutants broke down a wall on a weekly basis as he saw on his way in from the hanger.

"Glad to hear it. Now, to more pressing matters, may I inquire as to the purpose of that rouse back in Las Vegas?"

"Family business. Pullin' a job for mon frere and would'a been fine if he'd only warned me about any extra alarms." Gambit answered, visually showing the Professor he didn't want to go any more in-depth than that.

"I understand," the Professor nodded, getting more into the reason he brought Gambit to the Institute, "Would your family be wondering where you are?"

"Dey used tah naught seein' me for long periods o' time. A phone call tellin' 'em where I am and if I gaught out alive is all dey need to know."

"Well then, Gambit, how would you feel about joining the X-Men?"

The question stunned Gambit for a second, but once it sank in, he weighed his options. He'd be away from his family and he really didn't feel like hanging onto those fabriche eggs anymore then he had to. Felt like karma was going to come and kick his ass if he didn't get rid of them soon. But he had been in the same predicament when he was an Acolyte with Magneto. Only this time, he was going to be fighting with the good guys. It was an interesting concept.

After a few moments of thought, all he could say as a reply was, "Can I think about it for a while and get back to ya on that?"

"Of course. In the mean time, you can stay here until you have made your decision. I believe you'd feel more comfortable rooming with an old friend?"

"Ol' friend? Who would I know dat became an X-Man?" Gambit asked quizzically, standing up from his chair and following the Professor as he began to wheel out of his office to lead Gambit to his room.

"Does the name 'Colossus' ring a bell?"

"Piotr's here?! Well, he nev'a did enjoy bein' on Mag's team since it was by force. Den again, I didn' like it too much either." He said, remembering how Piotr had told Gambit of his agreement with Magneto to be an Acolyte, but only for his sister's sake. Gambit's reason wasn't as noble, but it was a contract, nonetheless.

As they reached the West Wing of the school, or the Boy's Dorm Rooms, the Professor took the initiative to warn the new comer of what he should expect by staying here.

"Well, now that that's settled, I would like to caution you on your invitation to the school."

Gambit looked at the Professor oddly at his statement, still following him down the hallway.

"Why's dat?"

"While I and some of the students do trust you and welcome you here, there are others that have not been so… forgiving of your past actions against us."

"You mean bein' one of les mauvais types (the bad guys)?"

"Actually, no. They have already forgiven one of the Acolytes and if that was your only fault, they would do the same for you."

"Den what do dey have against moi?"

"It was your kidnapping of one of our students, Rogue."

Gambit stopped short of the room, his face fell into a disheartened expression.

"Did… does she hate me for it?" he stammered, not realizing until then that maybe his taking her to New Orleans all those months ago may have had a worse affect on her than he thought.

"Rogue has actually been defendant of you. She informed me that while your actions were disputable, your motives were from the heart. Though she does still have her own personal grudges towards you that I cannot discuss with you or any other student, I'm sure they are not permanent. She will forgive you in time if you do not provoke her in a negative way. You should know it was her side of the story of the incident that lead me to believe you are not an bad person and could indeed be trusted when shown acceptance. That is why I am urging you to make a good impression for the others if you do so decide to join us."

Gambit's face perked up at the sound of Rogue defending him. He would have thought after their 'conversation' on the jet, she still resented him for New Orleans. Well, she probably did, but she understood why he did what he did.

'La femme comes from a similar life. Maybe she and I have more in common den we first thought.' He said to himself, secure that no telepath would read his mind.

"Will try my best, Professor."

"Good. Now, Gambit, go get settled in with Piotr and later tonight, I'll let the older students know you will be staying here for a period of time."

"Merci beaucoup," Gambit replied, "And you don' have to call me by my codename all de time. De name is Remy LeBeau."

"Well, I hope you stay with us, Remy." And with that, the Professor rolled back down the hallway and out of sight before Remy went into the room and reunited with his former teammate, the welcoming being more 'bone-crunching' than expected.

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"Professor, you CAN'T be serious!" Scott exclaimed, "This guy has fought against us, kidnapped one of our own, and is one of the most notorious thieves in the United States! How can you invite him to join the team?"

Scott slammed his fist on the counter in retort to the Professors announcement after dinner. Gambit had walked in right after, Piotr following closely. For the most part, they stayed silent as half the room defended him and the other half disrespected him.

'Though de "one of de most notorious thieves in the United States" is flatterin'.' He commented to himself, watching the events take place, barely letting his expression show through. He had quite a poker face after all.

He had spotted his cherie across the room, absorbing everything everyone was saying, adding little to no input because it seemed like people thought she, Remy, and the Professor were no longer in the room. He could see she was frustrated at being voiced her opinion, her hands were in tight fists against the table, and her face, while still 'tres belle' he thought, held a hidden anger he never wished to invoke.

"Scott, maybe this would be good idea. And besides, after what we've been told, he seems like he can be forgiven." Jean replied, trying to reason with her hot tempering boyfriend.

"Yeah. Like, we were able to let Piotr on the team and he and Gambit fought together. If he trusts Gambit, like, why can't we?" Kitty agreed, adding her two cents.

"But vhat about his t'efts? It's a dishonest and horrible s'ing zat he doez vithout remorse." Kurt stated as matter-of-factly as possible, making Remy seem like the worst sinner in the world.

"Rogue told us he never stole out of greed. She has had a first hand experience of that. It was because of his father and that's all. And besides, his training may be very useful as an X-Man." Ororo commented.

"Let's not forget the little stunt he pulled by kidnapping her, though," Logan growled, remembering when he was the one to pick up Gambit's scent all over Rogue's knapsack when she had first gone missing, "He may have had good intentions, but that doesn't excuse the fact that he still did the wrong thing."

"Would ya'll stop talking about us lahke we ain't here?!" Rogue exclaimed, her accent becoming thicker in her anger. She shot straight out of her seat, the room going dead silent, afraid to ensue her wrath, "Gambit, Piotr, an' Ah can speak for ourselves! Ya'll wanna ask questions, ask 'em to us, not each other, hopin' to find an answer!"

"I agree with you, Rogue. If any of us want answers, we should be asking these three for their opinions, not assuming them," Hank said, turning his hands to the three, hoping his acknowledgement of them would calm the girl down.

"How do we know Stripes and the Tin Man will answer us truthfully? They could be trying get us to change our minds about the Cajun," Logan retorted in a smug tone.

Remy looked at the Wolverine, his expression still idle, though his thoughts were a different story. This was the man Rogue felt was like a father to her? Sure, he had the protective nature down pat, but he doesn't even trust the girl's judgment enough to hear her out. He took this moment to speak out his opinion, like Rogue said they should.

"Maybe you should have more faith in la femme. What does she really have to gain by defending moi?"

Rogue looked at Remy, shocked at his statement. She had thought he was going to be cocky and say something about how he was going to be an asset to the team. But what he said actually sounded… sincere. Like he was being truthful. Rogue had to agree. She had no personal gain by defending him. He was a good person and she knew that deep down. He deserved to have a chance and she was going to make sure Logan got that message.

"Yeah. Why would Ah try to trick ya'll into lettin' a bad person into the Institute? Ah may not be totally thrilled about havin' the… Swamp Rat here," Rogue faltered, realizing she may have a continuous nickname for Remy, "but he is a good guy, and a mutant lahke us. He deserves tah have a shot here, at least until he decides tah join the team or naught."

Rogue caught Remy looking her way, seeming like he was actually touched by what she said. She shook it of, rolling her head back to Kurt.

"Hmm… Vell, she does make a good point," said Rogue's baby brother, "Maybe it vouldn't hurt to try having him around for a vhile."

"Yeah. You can at least give him that much." Kitty stated, liking that this argument looked like it was coming to an arrangement.

Logan growled a little, but a look from Rogue and he knew he couldn't fight the judgment.

"Well, looks like it's unanimous," The Professor announced, turning towards Remy, "As of now, you are a member of the X-Men, and will be treated like one, until you make your decision."

"I will only need a day or two tah think dis t'rough."

"Take all the time you need, Gambit," Ororo stated.

"Merci," was his final reply and that was the end of the discussion.

Afterwards, the group slowly dispersed. Some of the older students went to tell the new recruits about Gambit's membership to the Institute; others had plans for the evening.

Remy, having just got there, had no plans and not really anyone to talk to, besides Piotr. But apparently, his roommate was invited out with some of the younger girls. He was obviously shy about it, but Remy knew he needed to come out of his steel shell every now and then.

He decided to do what he said he'd do for the next few days… think about joining the X-Men. But the only thing he could decide was deciding was boring. Remy knew he had no other option, yet he wanted to decide by the experiences with the other members. But after the evening's debate, he realized very few of the students would want to interact with him now.

A moment after that thought, someone knocked on his door.

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Rogue, once more, declined to go out that evening like she had most nights and earlier that day. She was just in no mood anymore to go out. Her head was full of thoughts about the night's events and what Remy had said to Logan.

'Ah thought Logan understood me the best outta anyone here.' Whenever it was something about Mystique or Mesmero, he was always on the same page as her. But after tonight… it seemed like she lost that connection with him. Like as if someone else had taken his place.

Rogue got back to her room and wandered over to her desk, sitting down in the wooden chair and pulling open the heavy oak drawer, revealing a photo binder. Though she wasn't a very sentimental person, Rogue did like to keep photographs of her friends, teammates, or anything small that meant something special to her.

She flipped through its pages after setting the binder on the desk, getting about halfway through before stopping and pulling out the little piece of plasticie paper. She'd never tell Kitty she still had this; the girl would get way too involved in Rogue's personal affairs.

Rogue flipped over the card and drew her gloved finger over the rough edges of the Queen of Hearts, worn from use; the same one he gave her back in New Orleans. She didn't even know why she kept it herself. It just felt wrong to throw away. Rogue had never felt any kind of affection that seemed to be affecting her now that Gambit was around.

Even when they were on the train to Louisiana, Rogue had obviously felt an attraction to the guy, what girl wouldn't? He was tall, dark, and handsome, not to mention a sexy Cajun drawl when he spoke and knew the French language. And his eyes… she didn't know how people could have called him a devil's child all his life. Those eyes made her heart melt and charmed her into submission.

But it was just bad timing; she had only met him three times prior to the 'trip', one of which she wasn't even conscious as she knocked him unconscious. She had just woken up from being abducted, so all she knew was that this guy was someone she had to hold a grudge against.

Yet as it went on and after she absorbed his memories that second time, she had a new found connection to the Cajun, one some how stronger than anyone else she had absorbed. Maybe it was because they had both been used for their powers, or their sharing appreciation for loneliness. But whatever it was, Rogue left a tie being made between her and Gambit… Remy.

'Ah gotta talk to him.' She decided, the playing card still in her hand as she sat up from her desk and walked right back out of her room and over to the West Wing.

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"I's open," Remy called out, staying on his bed as the door creaked open.

Rogue poked her head in, making sure Piotr wasn't in the room. She also took the opportunity to really notice the differences in Remy's appearance. His hair had grown longer since she last saw him; it had become more messy and shaggy, but still suited his features. His goatee remained, but it wasn't as nicely kept, tiny hairs edging his jaw-line. Remy had changed out of his thief's outfit and into some spare clothes Scott had lent him; Rogue felt the preppy style, while fine on Scott, was just not Remy's look. A polo sweater, baggy khaki's… You almost wouldn't recognize him if only he didn't have those oh so memorable eyes.

"Hey…" she said nervously, almost too quiet for Remy to hear, but he did.

"Bonjour, cherie. Didn' go out wit' de other garcons et filles (boys and girls)?"

"Nah. Ah'm not much of a partah girl these days. Ah prefer stayin' here," she answered, not really moving from inside the door.

"Whatcha doin' all de way over here? Naught dat I'm complainin'," he asked, half concerned, half in his smirky Cajun self.

"Um… Ah don't really know mahself. But can we talk?" Rogue asked, moving just inside the room, but not shutting the door or moving any closer to him.

"Sure," he replied, grabbing Piotr's desk chair and sitting on it backwards, letting Rogue sit on the much more comfortable bed, "What do ya need to talk about?"

"Earlier… during that debate in the kitchen, ya talked back to Logan like as if ya had just read my mind."

Remy could see the girl had been doing some thinking before she came over here.

"I'm not a mind reader if dat's what ya was wonderin'," Remy commented, hoping to lighten the mood a little, succeeding when he saw a short smile grace the Rogue's face, bringing a smile to his own.

"Nah, nuttin' like what. I was just wonderin'," she started, staring down at her hands as if they were the most interesting things in the world, "why did you say it?"

"Hm… don' really know, chere. Just kinda blurted it out," he answered, trying to be as truthful as he could. He rested he chin on his hands on the back of the chair as he spoke, noticing Rogue's expression wasn't the brightest, "Anyone wit' two eyes could see de Wolverine is like a fath'a to ya. But he was questioning ya judgment and ignoring ya opinion. Dat ain' fath'aly; dat's just over-protective. Didn' know if you'd say it, so… I did. I just didn' like someone so close to ya treatin' ya dat way."

Rogue looked back up at him, her eyes opened wider than usual, possibly in surprise. She brushed back a lock of her white and auburn hair as it fell over her face.

"Ya ain't kiddin'… are ya, Swamp Rat?" it was more of a fact than a question. And of course, Remy's smile grew into a grin at the nickname his chere had once again used.

"Ya know I could neva' lie to such a belle femme… Riva' Rat." He replied, knowing she'd chew at him for two things; One, he has lied to her before, and two, for his own version of her nickname.

And, of course… he was right.

Rogue curled her gloved hand into a tight fist, punching him hard in shoulder and holding it up to his face.

"You EVER call meh that again, and Ah guarantee, Ah won't just punch ya next time! Ah'll kick ya ass!"

"Just returnin' de favour, Ri…" at the menacing look Rogue was giving him, he changed his mind. He liked his other name for her much better anyways, annunciating it with a long French-southern drawl, "Cherie."

"Why can't you just call meh Rogue like every other sane person does?"

"I's your codename, not your real name. Besides, you are a cherie."

"Fahne, if Ah call ya Remy, will ya at least call me Rogue?" she asked, almost pleading him to stop calling her any name other than what she was known as.

The Rogue, The Untouchable, The Goth. He genuinely seemed like he didn't care about all those other names.

"I'd rath'a call you by your real name. What is it, cherie?"

Rogue jumped back a bit. Sure she had been provoked before on her real name; Hell, the Professor didn't even know it. But telling Gambit… telling Remy, she felt like she would expose herself more so than she ever told Kitty or Kurt or anybody anything before. It was like telling anyone her name would show someone who didn't want to be The Rogue or The Untouchable or The Goth. Just a woman that wanted to be treated like every other person.

"It's… it's Anna," she answered, turning away from Remy and fiddling with her hair.

What had gotten into her? She was acting just like she did when she had a crush on Scott, especially at Christmas last year; Rogue had handed Scott her gift to him and she turned away, playing with her hair, embarrassed to see his reaction. He had tried to say that a gift wasn't necessary and he hadn't gotten one for her, but she ignored it and told him to just open it.

Now she realized how much of an idiot she was, trying to flirt with him when he clearly was interested in Jean. But this time seemed different. She wasn't trying to flirt with Remy, nor did she try to win his affections. Rogue was just… nervous. And that was what confused her about Remy.

"In de favour of grace. Suits ya, cherie." Remy said, drawing out the word again.

"Ah thought Ah told ya tah call me Rogue."

"Oui, you did. Why, you not feelin' so good, cherie?" he asked in a mock serious tone with a grin on his face.

"Ugh, shut up!" she exclaimed, grabbing his pillow from behind her and hitting him in his side before standing up to leave.

"Aw, ya goin' so soon?" Remy yelled back, not really wanting her to leave.

"All we're tahlkin' 'bout is nicknames and your stupidity. Ah'm startin' tah feel lahke an idiot so Ah'm oughta here."

"So what if we talked 'bout somethin' else?"

Rogue had reached the door by this point and looked back at him, intrigued by the question, "What else would we tahlk about, Cajun?"

Remy stood up and moved towards her, leaning against the wall beside the door, "Maybe get tah know each otha' betta'?" Now Remy was the one that was confused at his actions. He must have been a glutton for punishment. He knew Rogue was going to kick his ass for this, but his mouth just kept speaking, "I may very well become ya new teammate; may as well see what my new teammates are like, and I'd be more den happy if you be de one dat showed me around."

"Get ova' yaself, Remy," Rogue said with a roll of here eyes, "Why don't you just get Piotr to show ya around?"

"He's a good guy, sure. But he ain' as belle as you, chere."

'LeBeau, you are goin' to get killed tonight if you keep dis up.' He said in his head, trying to get his mouth to stop, "Much ratha' havin' you around den anyone else here."

"Remy, Ah swear…" Rogue began to threaten.

"Please, chere?" Remy asked, cutting her off.

Was he begging her to go out with him? This man had to have had at least a good few admirers for his looks alone. Rogue wouldn't have doubted the thought of women falling at his feet. So why would he resort to begging, let alone asking a girl out, now? She looked up at him, looking confused for a second before thinking, 'His eyes… are so beautiful.'

She was afraid she'd said it aloud, because just after that thought, Remy moved closer to her. It scared her for a second because he had gotten closer to her than most guys did before getting the life sucked out of them by her skin. She knew she should have slapped him, yelled at him, did something to get him to move away from her. But for some unknown reason, Rogue's body wouldn't listen to her.

Rogue turned her back to the door, her fear of his closeness forcing her right against it, shutting it with a loud bang. She became a bit worried when Remy didn't seem to flatter or fear touching her.

"Y-ya… too…"

"I ain't afraid, Rogue," he said before she could make a coherent sentence, not moving away from her.

She couldn't do this. Rogue knew she couldn't. Not to anyone, especially to him.

"But… Ah am." Rogue said, feeling like tears would come down her face.

"Don't be. You won' hurt me," he said, moving in ever so slightly that Rogue felt herself wanting to close the gap between them. She would have had her first real… conscious… kiss.

Suddenly, though, Rogue felt her hands tingle, like as if she was really close to a burning fire. It was a moment later when the tingle turned into sting that she looked down at her hands and saw them glowing as if her hand WAS on fire.

"Ahh!" Rogue exclaimed, causing Remy to jump back as he too noticed her hands glowing. Without meaning to, Rogue's hands emitted a fireball that shot out and hit the wall on the opposite side of the room, melting it through.

"Wh-what's happenin' tah me?!" she yelled, not really finding an answer.

"Rogue," Remy said, trying to calm the girl down before something bad happened.

But before she could get calm, Remy saw her eyes glow just like her hands did, and he knew what that meant; duck n' cover. Remy threw himself to the ground as an energy beam shot out of Rogue's eyes upwards at the ceiling. She shut her eyes immediately, not seeing the damage she had done.

"The powers… everyone's… " she stammered. Trying to find her way out of the room while blind, her hands only melting the doorknob behind her, Rogue began to seriously panic. It was only a few seconds later that panic translated into other powers.

Both Rogue and Remy felt the grounds of the Institute begin to shake and bolt of electricity shot out of Rogue's hand just like the fire had, equivalent to the strength of Rogue's fear and it wouldn't stop until she calmed down.

"Rogue! You have to stay calm!" Remy yelled out to her as he got back to his feet, shaking with the ground, putting his hands on Rogue's shoulders in an attempt to help calm her down.

"Remy, what's goin' on?!" she cried out, wanting answers, trying to find her way without her eyesight or hands.

It was at that moment, however, that the door was slashed open by adamantium claws.

"What's going on in here?!" Logan demanded, immediately seeing Remy's hands on Rogue's shoulders as she was in a state of panic. Though he forgot about the Cajun when he realized Rogue's hand were on fire, her eyes were shut and the ground underneath him shook harder than anywhere in the mansion.

"Logan?!" Rogue shouted as she heard his voice, "Their powers… everyone's powers are actin' up! Ah can't control 'em!"

"Rogue, listen to me. You have to stay calm. The Professor is on his way, he's gonna help you." Logan explained to her, not moving any closer to her than he had to.

All Rogue could remember after that was the Professor's voice penetrating her mind, easing the other personalities out of Rogue's mind, just as he had done before. The effort had weakened her enough to knock her unconscious, Remy catching her before she hit the ground and calling out her name as she fell into darkness.

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Rogue's powers are taking quite a turn. And I'm sure all of you will be kicking me for not having the two of them kiss.

In due time, mein friends.

Anyways, read, review, comment, suggest, but PLEASE don't bash.

Until next time…