Right Love, Wrong Time

SUMMARY: A bet is made when playing ball!

CHARACTERS: Gambit & Rogue, Wolverine & Nightcrawler...plus...a surprise in the end

RATED: PG-13, due to language

NOTE: So, this chapter was written in like a day! Thanks for the many reviews, but leave more reviews! : D

CHAPTER 3: "FOR YOU FROM ME" by Jon McLaughlin (FYI: His entire debut album is amazing! ANYWHO!)

6 months Later…

"See y'all next week," Rogue said to a couple of students.

"Thank you, Miss Rogue!" the children said together as they walked towards the kitchens for their dinner.

"Yo' very welcome, sughas." Rogue made her way down the hall towards her room. She had just gotten done with tutoring five students and she was more than drained. Maybe a nice, hot shower would do the trick.

The moment she entered her room, she placed down her bag and closed the door and locked it. A sigh escaped her and she quickly took off her sweater. She hated wearing so many layers of clothes. But it was a necessity. She made her way towards her bathroom as she took off her top. And just as she let her hair down and began to shake it down her shoulders, she heard a soft moan come from behind her.

Her heart raced. Someone was inside of her room! She quickly turned towards the sound, which was coming from her bed.

Sitting there, laying flat on his back, was a very annoying Cajun. He was using his arms as a pillow and looked more than comfortable in this small room of hers. A wide grin spread across his face as he eyed her up and down. "You sho' be lookin' good, chere. Don't know why you bother keepin dat magnificent body hidden. Be a very big shame."

For a second Rogue was completely intrigued with the attention--but for only a second. She suddenly turned angry. She took her top from the floor and grabbed one of her lamps. "What the hell d'ya think yo' doin' here, Cajun?!"

He quickly ducked the lamp and it landed on the wall, shattering it to pieces. He snickered. "Gambit like it when you get angry, chere."

She quickly put on her top and made a grab for another lamp. "Get out!"

"Dat be money your wastin', petite." His snicker only grew.

She shot flames through her eyes at him, "Money well wasted!" And she threw it at him.

This time, Gambit had to physically move out of the way. That lamp too shattered on the wall and bits landed across his face, cutting him deep in two different spots. "Merde!"

It was Rogue's turn to snicker. "Like Ah said: well deserved."

Gambit brushed off the blood from his face and let out a deep groan.

It was then that Rogue grew a bit worried. Gambit never groaned. He never let out when he got hurt. He usually toughened up.

"Remy?" Her tone was full of worry and regret.

Another groan was let out as he sank onto his knees.

Rogue didn't miss another second. She hurried over to his side. "Remy?" She sunk down to him and placed her gloved hands onto his face.

He groaned again and she felt lower than dirt. She shouldn't have thrown that lamp at him. She should have had more control over herself! God! Could she ever do anything right?!

"Ah'm so sorry, Remy! Lemme take a look at ya, sugah?" She caressed his face lightly.

He groaned and looked up at her with a sly grin. "Didn't know you cared so much, chere?"

Once she saw that his cuts were not that deep and that he had been faking it the entire time, she almost growled out of anger. "That wasn't funny, Gambit!" She gave him a slight push that sent him towards the wall, hard. She would have pushed him harder, but she didn't want to ruin her wall. She had already killed two lamps for this fool!

Gambit rubbed his head and shoulder. He knew that was gonna leave a big bruise.

Rogue figured as much too, but she didn't care at the moment. She was more than angry at him. She got to her feet and began to fly out of there.

"Chere!" Gambit ran after her. "C'mon, chere. It just be a joke."

Rogue couldn't hold onto the anger. She turned around to face him from across the hall as he ran towards her. "Ya think everythin' is a joke, Cajun! Ah swear, yo gonna be like the boy who cried wolf. You can't take anythin' serious!"

He finally caught up to her. "Dat why you not wanna go on a date wit me, chere?"

She rolled her eyes. "Ah've said it a thousand times to ya already, Cajun. No!" She shook her head in disappointment at him. "Ya know Ah can't make flesh to flesh contact with you without drainin' all yo powers away!"

Gambit took a step forward, his breathtaking grin coming back. "Perhaps…but don' nobody know how Gambit loves a challenge."

She began to walk away from him as she rolled her eyes at him one more time. "An' if I eva' see ya in my room again, Ah'll be sure to cut your entire face off!"

Gambit was quick at her heels. "Just one dinner, chere. Is all dis Cajun ask."

"Ah swear, Remy. Don' ya eva take no for an answah?" Rogue demanded as she continued to walk towards the back yard of the mansion.

Gambit was right on her heels, wearing a most flirtatious smile on his face. "Gambit like dis challenge you given him, chére."

Rogue rolled her eyes. She saw Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Iceman out on the basketball court and decided to invite herself onto the small game. "Can Ah join y'all?" She might as well work off some steam instead of taking it off on Gambit. She knew her strength and temper were not to be tested right now. And there was no way she could shower now.

Wolverine turned to her and gave a slight nod. "Even things up. You're with Icy here."

Iceman was now panting. "I think I'm going to call it a night."

Wolverine frowned. "It's only 3 in the afternoon, pansy!"

Iceman ignored him and began to walk away from the courts, panting. "You know, I can't stand out in the sun for too long, Wolverine." And with that said, he walked of..

Wolverine growled. "Now we can't play an even game."

Gambit gave a sly smile. "Gambit can be your fourth player, mon ami."

Wolverine eyed him up and down. Even after having Gambit on the team for about 6 months now, Wolverine was still not all too sure about Gambit. It wasn't that he was a bad teammate, because he really wasn't. Gambit listened very well and obeyed Cyclops--and especially Storm's--every command when they went out on a mission. He always did what the professor asked of him without giving lip--a sarcastic remark, yes. However, Wolverine still not did not trust the Cajun all too well around the kid.

"That would be wonderful," Nightcrawler answered before Wolverine could make some rude remark towards Gambit. Nightcrawler didn't enjoy the way Gambit eyed his little sister, but in the last several months, he had come to know Gambit quite a bit and rather liked him. He knew that Gambit's crush on his sister was innocent--with sometimes adult thoughts--but he didn't mean to cause any harm towards Rogue. Nightcrawler noticed that Gambit was in fact very intrigued with his sister. And anyone who liked his sister was a reason enough for Nightcrawler to like them back.

Wolverine grunted but didn't oppose to it. He had just gotten into another argument with Cyclops and he really wanted to blow off some steam. He would play with just about anybody right now. "I'm with the kid. You're with Blue, Cajun." Wolverine threw the ball at Gambit.

"Thought you and Nightcrawler were on de same team," Gambit said. This was the reason why Gambit decided to join. He would love to be on a team with Rogue. He turned and eyed his crush up and down, still not able to get his fill on her splendid body.

"I'd rather have the kid on my team," Wolverine said with a final tone.

Rogue groaned. "Will ya ever stop referring to me as a kid, Logan? If ya haven't figured yet, Ah am in my mid twenties now."

Wolverine acted as if he hadn't heard her. "There's only two rules. First: all the rules that apply to regular basketball are applied here as well. And second: no powers. Any questions?"

Rogue and Nightcrawler shook their heads.

However, Gambit slightly raised a hand. "Gambit got a question."

"What is it, Cajun?" Wolverine was sure he really didn't want to know the answer. Knowing Gambit….

Gambit grinned. "What is it we be plain' for?"

"What?"

"What does the winning team get in de end."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "It's jus' a game, Remy."

"And in games dere always be a bet, petite. Why is dis so different?"

"We're jus' playin' to have fun. Nothin' else."

"But Gambit always need a compensation when winning."

Rogue cocked her hip to the side and raised a brow. "An' what makes ya think yo gonna win, Cajun?"

"Gambit always win, chere. It might take a while…but he always does."

His voice was husky and deep. And it sent shivers up and down Rogue's spine.

"Fine. Bet on somethin' then. Quick. I wanna play." Memories of his and Cyclops argument started to rush back into his head. And it was making him grouchy.

"How bout when Kurt and I win, Wolverine and you do somethin' fer us. Kurt has dibs on de Wolverine and I have dibs on you." That evil glint appeared in his eye again.

Rogue narrowed her eyes. "Do what exactly."

"Anytin' we want, chere. Just one single ting." He gave her a wink.

Rogue rolled her eyes. "And if we win?"

Gambit shook his head. "But you won't be winnin', chere."

"For argument's sake, Remy." She was starting to get irritated with him.

"Same tin' then. If you win--Kurt and I do whatever you wish." He wasn't even blinking as he stared into her eyes. "You game?"

Rogue thought about it for a moment. It would be fun to see Gambit in an apron, cooking for everyone in the household all week. She grinned. "Fine. Whoever reaches 80 points first wins."

Gambit extended his hand to her.

She took it and right when she was about to shake it, he pulled it to his lips and gave her a small tender kiss there.

Rogue pulled away her hand before her heart went into overdrive. "Lets start."

Then, the game began. It went on for about a good hour. Rogue and Wolverine were used to each other and had played together before, but Nightcrawler and Gambit were great athletes and matched them.

The score was 73 to 76, with Rogue and Wolverine in the lead. Nightcrawler had the ball and Wolverine was trying to steal the ball from him. In the meanwhile, Rogue tried to block Gambit from getting the ball.

Rogue smiled up at Gambit. "Guess you're gonna be wearing that apron all week long, Cajun. Good thing Jean got me that camera for my birthday, too." She let out a snicker.

"Don' be too sure, chere. Game not over yet." And with that said, he managed to dunk out of her reach and yelled at Nightcrawler. "Open, beau-frere!"

Nightcrawler dunked from Wolverine and passed the ball to Gambit. Once the ball was in his hands, Gambit stepped back behind the 3-pointer line and took the shot…. Nothing but net.

"Dammit!" Rogue grabbed the ball and took out.

Gambit grinned. He loved to see Rogue all hot and bothered. He walked over to her just as she hurried to pass the ball to Wolverine.

"Merde!" Gambit noticed that Nightcrawler was too far from Wolverine and was not blocking him. He hurried over to Wolverine, hoping he could block him.

Wolverine immediately took the opportunity to take the shot…. He made it.

Nightcrawler shook his head at Gambit. "In case you have forgotten, my friend, you are supposed to block my sister."

Gambit groaned. "You supposed to be coverin' de Wolverine as well, beau-frere." He walked out of the court to take out.

Rogue handed him the ball. "76 to 78," she said with a smile. "Ah jus' need two points, Remy."

Gambit chuckled. "Don' matter, chere. You could have 79 and I still win."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Ah don't think so, sugah. Not if Ah can help it."

"What is this 'I' stuff?" Nightcrawler asked. "Thought this was supposed to be a team."

"Will the three of you shut up?!" Wolverine looked ready to punch someone. "Get on with the game!"

Gambit decided to keep shut…for the moment. He tried to get out of Rogue's reach as he waited for the opportune moment to pass it to Nightcrawler. And he found it. Nightcrawler was quicker than Wolverine and managed to get away. Gambit quickly passed it.

Nightcrawler took the shot. And scored.

Another curse word left Rogue's lips.

"Language, sister," Nightcrawler warned. He hated when she did that.

Rogue ignored him and took the ball. Gambit raised his arms to block her from passing the ball to Wolverine. "Just give it up, petite."

Rogue glared at him and tried to get away from his blocking.

Thankfully, Wolverine dashed out of Nightcrawler's grasp on time and Rogue was able to pass it to him from in between Gambit's open legs.

Before Nightcrawler or Gambit could block him, Wolverine took the shot….

Rogue held her breath as she saw the ball head towards the net…

It bounced off the rim!

And before Rogue could react and take a grab for the ball, Gambit snatched it first.

He turned to Rogue and grinned. Then turned back towards the basket and took the shot….

Again…nothing but net.

"Son of a bitch!" Wolverine let out before Rogue could. Wolverine hated losing. He started to head towards the mansion, needing a shower now more than ever.

Nightcrawler chased after him. "Wolverine, you will have to drop the cursing all of this next week."

Wolverine frowned. "What?"

"That's the one thing you will have to do for me."

Wolverine snorted. "Yeah, right."

Nightcrawler continued to chase after him. "Fine. How about five days?"

"No," Wolverine grunted.

"Four days?"

"No."

"Three?"

"Kurt, I didn't agree with this stupid little bet." Wolverine entered the mansion.

"Fine. How about two days?"

"No!"

Rogue turned away from her brother and friend, deciding to face the music. Unlike Wolverine, she kept up to her end of the bargain. And as soon as she turned to Gambit, the first thing she saw was his face. He looked like he was a kid in a candy store. She let out a huff. "Just tell me already, Gambit! And wipe that stupid grin off yo' face! Or ya want me to do it for ya?"

Gambit did anything but. He took a few steps closer to her, leaning in.

Rogue quickly stepped back. She immediately knew what he wanted. "Gambit, no! Ah don' wanna put ya in a hospital!"

Gambit let out a sigh. "Fine. Good ting I have a backup."

She crossed her arms. "What?"

He took another step towards her and said in the a most husky voice, "A date."

"Date?"

"Yeah." He reached for her hand and brought it close to him. "Jus' you, me…a candlelight dinner." His voice grew softer and lower.

Rogue kept herself from shivering. She cleared her throat. "Fine. But once ya pick the day, there ain't turnin' back. It's gonna be that day and it ain't gon' change."

Gambit thought about it for a second, but nodded. "I'll take it." He took her hand and kissed it one more time. "Gambit do just about anytin' jus' for your company, chere."

Rogue rolled her eyes and turned away. "Ya really gotta get new lines, Cajun. They're gettin' old." However, her heart seemed to differ.

**************

"Why you be here?" Gambit asked Wolverine as he came to Rogue's door.

Wolverine had his arms crossed and was protecting the door. "I'm going with."

Gambit frowned. "Sorry, mon ami. But it's Rogue I ask, not you. Mebbe next time de both of us can find a romantic getaway."

"The both of you ain't goin alone, Cajun. I'm the chaperon." He didn't move.

Gambit rolled his eyes. "Wolverine, Rogue not be a child no mo'."

In that moment, the door swung open. "Save it, Remy. Ah've been tellin' him this for five years now. He don' listen."

However, Gambit did not hear a word she had said. Hell, he had completely forgotten all about Wolverine and how annoyed he was with him. At the moment, Gambit's complete attention was on Rogue's body.

Gambit was used to seeing Rogue in uniform--not that he minded much. The uniform worked great with her figure. But whenever she was out of it, she was always wearing ripped, baggy jeans and a long-sleeve blouse. It seemed as if she never thought twice about her wardrobe. However, today it seemed as if Rogue took her time. She had on some skin-tight, navy blue jeans, some black stiletto boots, a bright yellow top that revealed plenty of skin, and a pair of yellow gloves. Rogue had never seen her look so beautiful.

He sent her a grin. "Dis be for me, chere?"

Rogue rolled her eyes, trying to distract Gambit from seeing her deep, red blush. "Honey, ya never know if there's a cute waiter in the restaurant." She grabbed her purse and shut her door. "Now, lets get movin'. This girl's gotta eat." She made her way out to the front, swaying her hips to the right beat, knowing all too well Gambit was watching.

And indeed she was right. Gambit could have filled a pool with the slobber that was coming out of his mouth.

Rogue kept from laughing. "Today, Cajun! Unless ya wanna cancel?"

Gambit reacted. He hurried over to her, just in time to open the front door. "Wouldn' dream of it, petite." He bowed his head slightly.

Those Southern manners were enough to make her blush again, she thought to herself as she made her way out and to the car that was waiting for them in the driveway.

Gambit opened the passenger door for her

Rogue went in. "Thank ya, sir."

"My pleasure." He shut the door and made his way towards the driver's side. And just as he opened the door, someone else climbed in.

"Thanks, Rookie," Wolverine grunted as he shut the driver's door. He turned on the car.

Gambit was in too much shock to start sending curse words at Wolverine.

Wolverine turned to him. "You comin? Or are we leavin' ya?"

When Gambit didn't hurry up, Wolverine began to drive off.

This time, Gambit reacted and hurried into the car, cursing in French.

Rogue rolled her eyes, deciding not to comment. It would only make matters worse

************

Once they got to the restaurant that Gambit had picked out, he hurried to the passenger's door and helped Rogue out of the car.

Rogue took his hand. "Thank ya, sugah."

"Anytime, petite," he said and gave her gloved hand a gentle kiss.

A shy smile appeared across her face. And there was another moment. Both held each other's eyes for while, letting the sparks fly.

Then, just as the moment had begun, it was suddenly--and very rudely--interrupted by a concussive blast that sent Gambit flying through the air and a concussive beam that hit Rogue pretty badly. However, Rogue reacted quickly, ignoring the pain, and flew up to catch Gambit before he could get furthered injured.

Wolverine stepped out of the car, taking out his claws as turned to see what--or who--had been the cause of his teammates getting hit. He growled once he saw it. "Fenris!"

The evil, mutant, blonde twins laughed. They were holding hands and sent a concussive blast and beam at Wolverine, sending him a couple of yards away.

Rogue wasn't all that worried about Wolverine. He healed quickly. She put Gambit down on the ground, seeing that he was more than fine. "Guess our date isn't gonna be happenin', sugah."

Gambit growled and threw a charged card towards Andreas.

Rogue flew towards Andrea.

A/N: Alright, so I just did a bit of my touch up with this chapter. Most of what happened in this chapter actually DID happen that led to ROMY's first ATTEMPTED date that was ruined by the stupid Strucker twins! Those assholes! I also stole some of my FAVORITE lines from that issue--along with other issues--and incorporated it here! I will be doing this a lot. Taking what really happened in the comics and "moderizing" them...in case you haven't noticed. Hoped y'all liked it! ^_^ REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!