Chapter 4 - Shut it Swamp Rat

Rogue awoke to find the covers strewn across the wooden floor and her half naked body pressed against Gambit. She jumped back in surprise as she felt his warm skin on hers, an unfamiliar sensation passed through her.

She reached over, worriedly, searching for any sign of life. She half-expected him to be dead, how long had she been on him? If she was lucky he would just be unconscious, but since when had Rogue ever been lucky?

His breathing seemed normal; she looked at him, confusedly, searching for answers. His eyelids flickered, signalling sleep, not a coma state and Rogue leapt upon Gambit so that he woke with start.

"Calm it Rogue, Gambit was just getting a little shut eye," He smiled before realizing her, now, ungloved hands were resting on his muscled chest. "Rogue?" He breathed delicately.

"Hold up!" Rogue growled moving to the window and lifting it.

"No Chere, don't go."

"Couldn't if I wanted to." Rogue murmured, concernedly. "An't got my powers no more, sugah."

"Chere, Gambit think dat be a blessing in disguise." Gambit grinned reaching out to Rogue but she pulled away, so set in her ways.

"Shut it swamp rat! Something's wrong. Don't you feel it?"

Gambit gently fingered his pack of cards before giving a sigh of agreement. He rose and took Rogue gently in his arms.

She timidly touched his skin, afraid that it was yet another dream from which she would soon have to wake. But no, this was real, she could feel his skin on her fingers. It had been so long since she had touched flesh, she had forgotten it.

There was so much she wished to do to Gambit, so much she wanted him to do to her. She wanted to feel everything, to be able to remember it, to feel, to taste his skin. Feel him on her, in her, with her.

Gambit touched his hands upon her delicate back, this was truly all he had ever wanted but now, he was scared. He had spent so long wishing for this, wanting her that now that he had her he didn't know what to do.

Rogue rested her head on his bare chest, listening contently to his heartbeat. She felt so privileged; no-one else would appreciate listening to another humans heart beat as she did. She wanted to remember the sound, the feel of the thud against her ear because soon it would have to end.

She pulled away and Gambit reluctantly allowed her too. He knew what she wanted to do, she wanted to alert people, Professor Xavier and the rest of the team.

"Ah mon Ange, what can Gambit say to convince you to stay with me?"

"I'm right here hun, with you, but we have a responsibility. I need to know what's going on."

She dressed herself, and so did he, in a flurry of excitement. Then she grabbed his bare hand in hers and led him like a small child through to the meeting room, subconsciously alerting Professor Xavier who alerted the others.

Although her hand in his was not exactly what Gambit had imagined upon first being able to touch Rogue, he was satisfied with it. To feel her skin on his, her cold hand gripping his flesh, so tightly. She trusted him, he could feel that now.

She sent the message through the squeeze she gave his hand as the others assembled. He had never realized it before but some messages can only be sent via the body.

"So, no-one has access to their powers?" Asked the Professor concernedly.

The team had gathered around the table, Rogue sat contentedly on Gambit's lap as he stroked her crimson hair.

"Well you must professor, I called to you this morning, you heard me." Rogue said.

"Ah yes, I awoke and sensed something was wrong, unconsciously alerting you all but now I cannot hear anything." The Professor sighed.

Wolverine entered his face covered with specks of toilet paper; Jubilee stifled a laugh as he looked at her wearily.

"I cut myself shaving. I an't used to being careful Prof. and I don't like it." He growled, as Rogue hid her laughing eyes in Gambit's chest.

"Yes, we are all concerned Logan, it appears that last night our base, as it were, was infiltrated by a mystery suspect. For some reason his presense managed to allude us."

"Well let's just check the security tapes." Scott murmured, he was not a morning person persay.

"Yes Scott, that might work." Smiled the Professor.

"Yes, thank you Mr.Obvious." Wolverine glowered with contempt.

As the tape began to play the team groaned inwardly as a familiar face appeared.

"Mr.Sinister." Jubilee whispered "Let's go get him!" She jumped up, raring for some excitement.

"We shouldn't go straight away, I mean, we should wait a day, or two maybe." Jean looked at the Professor ominously, even though they were both without telepathy it was not needed to convey this message.

"Yes, erm, I agree, me and Beast can look over the facts." He answered.

"Gladly," Smiled Beast as Rogue and Gambit slipped off, unable to wait any longer.

They were shortly followed by Jean and Scott, her looking deeply into his brown eyes that she had so long been deprived of. Wolverine looked to Storm, and raised his eyebrows before they both went their separate ways.

"I never get to have any fun." Jubilee moaned, too young to truly appreciate what she was missing out on.