Trapped in A Bottle

Chapter Four

Enjoy

X-_X-_X

"She said that they met in the book store," said Rogue's relaxed accented voice.

"Da petite chat was in a book store?" inquired the sinuous tone of our favorite Cajun, his grin was almost tangible.

"For this week's copy of Forensic Fashion," snorted back Rogue "Ya' think she'd go in there fo' anything else?"

"Now don't underestimate the chat," Gambit smirked into her hair "She was da Valedictorian, no?"

"Yo' right," Rogue seceded breezily without even a petulant glance.

"Course Remy is chere."

Rogue took only a halfhearted swat at his head as she snuggled further into her cocoon of warmth. They were in the park, in front of the fountain where she had first agreed to go on a date with him, and she was relaxing into his arms.

It hadn't taken Gambit long that afternoon to convince Rogue that she would be perfectly fine in his clothing covered arms. There was nothing else separating them nothing mental at least, not anymore.

"Piotr really seem to like dis fille tho'," Gambit said suddenly a little stiff around the corners.

"So?" asked Rogue "Where you goin' with this, Swamp Rat?"

"It's just the petite really seem to go through da hommes, no?" Gambit said looking down into Rogues eyes, the wind ruffling his hair. "Remy just worried about de Colossus, he be a soft homme."

"Kit's settlin' down," said Rogue in response "Ah saw a plusher field in her eyes last night. Ah don't think we really gonna' have to worry about them."

"Remy hope so, ma chere," he nuzzled her hair "Remy hope so."

"What else did th' chat tell y'?"

"It was mainly babblin' on like she usually does," said Rogue noticing how Gambit just couldn't sit still. He had to be playing with her hair or nuzzling her neck or he just didn't seem satisfied! "Talkin' on and on about his eyes and his muscles."

"Hmm," assented Gambit lazily and halfheartedly.

"He does have rather nice muscles," said Rogue slyly. She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully

"Gambit have muscles," said Remy breaking away and eyeing her.

"I know ya' do Swamp Rat," said Rogue, though her tone wasn't the most convincing.

"Gambit does!"

"Mm Hmm."

"Chere!"

X-_X-_X

"Mr. Logan's been acting, like, weird," said Kitty offhand as she leafed through Cosmo.

"Logan's always actin' weird, sugar," said Rogue. She had found a new adoration for the time she spent with the valley girl. They were comrades in their relationship with enemy beings.

"Yeah but I think he, like, knows that I'm going out with Piotr," she said rolling over and tossing the magazine on the carpet.

"That would mean the Professor would know," mused Rogue. She had her eyes closed and looked the picture of relaxation on her bed. "You haven't been pulled in for a 'Ya know what ya' doin'' lecture have ya'?"

"No," said Kitty "Have you?"

"Yeah," Rogue looked over at Kitty. "He told me that he was O.K. with it and wanted to make sure Ah knew what Ah was doin'."

"Hmm," Kitty murmured into her bedding. "I wonder why he hasn't tried to talk to me. I mean he's like psychic, so he knows, right?"

"Ah dunno," replied Rogue "Maybe he thinks it's a lost cause. Everyone fallin' for the enemy."

"Maybe."

"Hey Rogue," asked Kitty turning over and looking across the room.

"Yeah Kitty?" perhaps it was the weather, mused Rogue, that was making her so patient today. The afternoon sun was making everyone lazy.

"Do you really like Gambit?" Kitty seemed nervous.

"Why?" asked Rogue back incredulously.

"Because, even though I haven't really known Piotr that long I think I like, really like him."

"So you want to know if Ah really like Gambit?" said Rogue back. Kitty was always the type of girl that could recognize her own emotions quick, and act on them too. Rogue was not.

"Yeah," Kitty ruled back up and looked at the ceiling; she was obviously uncomfortable asking Rogue these things. "I don't mean to pry or anything."

"Ah dunno if Ah really like Remy or not," said Rogue softly "But Ah know Ah feel fondness for him and we have a connection."

"You guys are good together," Kitty said "Like you're made for each other."

"The swamp rat and me made fo' each other?" Rogue snorted "Ya crazier than I thought."

"Yeah."

"Yeah, well," Rogue changed subject "Maybe we should set somethin' up, with the four of us."

"Like a double date?" Kitty questioned finally sitting up she adjusted her ponytail. The sun began to tint the sky a dull orange.

"Not so much," replied Rogue "More like one a' those hang out type a' days ya know?"

"I suppose," replied Kitty. "Why?"

"Ah'm just curious," said Rogue.

"Curious about what?"

"Ah wanna' see how ya'll interact," Rogue said. Turning over she faced the wall, effectively completing the conversation. For now.

X-_X-_X

"Rogue," the murmur came from behind her.

Rogue turned, surprised, and centered her focus on the man responsible for calling her name.

It was the professor.

"Yeah?" Rogue asked back, the tiniest bit of attitude in her voice. What was wrong now? All she'd been doing was running downstairs for a glass of water, and it's not like they were banned from leaving their rooms after dark.

"I wanted to let you know that a friend of mine has recently completed something I had asked her to look into," the Professor said. He was using a very complacent voice and it only took him a few seconds to transverse the floor over to where Rogue was standing.

"Professor, Ah really don't see how any o' this has somethin' to do with me," she said looking at him, one foot towards the stairs.

"Well," he said slowly "I asked her specifically to construct a certain model on my behalf because of you. And I'm only bothering you this late because she has finished construction but I want to make sure it is alright with you that she brings this construct here."

Rogue wasn't exactly certain what could be going on. What would need her O.K? "Well what is it? An' why would you need my permission, and why was it made fo' me?"

"Because Rogue," the Professor started. "This item is a small machine fitted into the form of a bracelet and it can work almost in the way Kurt's watch works. I believe it will negate your powers."

The glass Rogue had been holding made a terrific show as it seemed to sail towards the floor in slow motion. Splintering into hundreds of crystalline shards the water flowed out in a singular wave covering the distance between Rogue and the Professor.

"What the hell do ya' mean?" asked Rogue, completely stunned. "How could something do that? We've been working to make my powers go away in my head, not trying to find somethin' to do it fo' me!"

Her voice had risen by the end of her statement. "It's not that we have given up working in your mind Rogue, after all it is very important that you learn how to control your psyche, but it's that upon study of your mind I have determined that you need some strength to guide your mind to controlling this power."

"So what? This machine's gonna' be my strength, Ah'm not strong enough on my own?" Rogue was shaking startlingly.

"Not that way Rogue," said the Professor, raising a hand as if to dismiss it. "You need an external force to help you. This machine as you put it is only a short term thing, until you find the necessary strength."

"An' it's coming here?" asked Rogue, she had backed up a step unintentionally.

"Only if you say it and its creator, Moira McTaggert, can."

"Yes," said Rogue "Yes."

The Professor nodded as Rogue turned and walked very determinedly up the stairs. He was certain that she would only require the machine for a short time; he had the feeling that she had already found her external strength.

He hoped upon all hope that he was correct in his assumption.

X-_X-_X

The double date ended up being a rather good idea; they ended up going out on the lake, even though it was chilly out. Gambit knew a guy who knew a guy who got the boat for them, Rogue snorted when he said it. The day had gone smoothly as it was a couple smiles from Rogue, nervous giggles from Kitty, and light banter provided by the southern couple.

But the day was winding down and it left them all in a companionable silence, a silence that gave everyone time to think amongst himself or herself as the small boat gently rocked.

Rogue had felt that she rarely has ever had control over her own mind, so she wasn't anxious when at this moment her mind decided to wander of its own accord. She started to think about what the professor said the night before, about the machine that could stall her powers. She started slipping into a melancholy dream, as she could no longer feel the gentle rocking of the small boat beneath her. Turning away from gambit a bit she grimaced.

Like he didn't notice that.

Glancing at the other side of the boat where Kitty was whispering sly things in Piotr's ear he decided that they wouldn't care if he set up stock in conversation three feet away.

"Chere," he said gently. He nudged Rogue's shoulder, as she was sitting on the boat bottom holding her knees and facing east. Gambit had his legs up on one of the seating benches and his back against the stern. "Chere, what be da matter?"

Rogue sighed and turned towards Gambit. It was always a surprise to look him right in the face these days. They'd been out together plenty of times, and calling him her boyfriend made her feel nervous. With her actually starting to care for him she had to stop herself many times from just giving her heart away to the southern-blooded man.

"Anotha' talk with the Professor," said Rogue softly. Her eyes were obviously showing her wariness for their friends over hearing them.

"Wit interestin' information?" nudged Gambit on. The wind was changing behind them, making the bat rock hard a couple of times.

"Yeah," said Rogue. She put a determined look on her face, one that belonged there. "Well, no beatin' the bush, the Professor's come up with somethin' that'll negate my powers."

Gambit's face belied his shock and he smiled widely. "Well that be good? Ain't it?"

"No," said Rogue flatly "'Cause this machine his friend's been creatin' has t be strong fo' me. It's not me that conquerin' my powers it's a piece of metal."

"Ah," said Gambit. Fully aware of what her feelings were in response to that. "So what y' doin' 'bout that?"

"There's nothing Ah can do about it," said Rogue she stretched her legs and sat up on one of the boat benches, her back to Kitty and Piotr. "Ah'm not gonna' turn the gift down. The Professor had this made specially, and his lady friend's comin' here to deliver it."

"Je ne sais pas," mumbled Gambit "Maybe dis machine be th' help y' need to conquerin' y' powers y'self?"

"The Professor seems to know exactly what ah need to conquer my powers," said Rogue, the boat had begun drifting towards the late afternoon sun. Rogue saw Kitty looking at her out of the corner of her eye. She lowered her voice and bent forward. "He says that Ah need ta find an external source of power. That that's the only way Ah'm ever getting' control of my powers."

"Y' know, Cherie," began Gambit, his demonic eyes glowing he moved up (seemingly using the least amount of energy and all the flexibility of a career thief) to sit on the back of the boat, their knees touching. "Seems like the bald one means sometin mental."

Rogue could feel the loose flexible cloth that covered Gambit's knees, the hole's in hers making it so only his fabric separated their skin. Rogue seemed not to care much anymore. She looked up.

"Prolly is," she replied, the wind tussled their hair. "But ah wish he'd just explain it all to meh, ya know?"

Gambit rubbed his chin thoughtfully, the day old stubble apparent on his chin. "Y' know," he looked at her with a lazy smile on his face. "Seems t' me that one o' them mind psycho doctors would say that the trip t' finding that out be th' strength that y' have to find."

"He hinted," said Rogue slowly "That maybe Ah'd already found the strength that Ah need to succeed."

"Hmm," Gambit assented thoughtfully. "All dem old guys got a few cuckoo's no?"

Rogue chuckled prettily, but before she could reply Kitty's voice broke over the lake.

"Hey!" she had to shout slightly as the wind was picking up, creating a spooky howling effect over the small waved lake. "You guys think we should, like, take it back in now?"

Rogue turned around slightly, straddling the bench, Gambit crossed him arms a bit. Kitty looked at them whilst Colossus offered her a hand up. A mild moment of panic crossed Rogue's mind as the boat wobbled.

"Yeah!" said Rogue; somewhat hastily "That's prolly a good idea, kit."

"Oui," Gambit stood. (It was only evidence of his supremely good thief skills that he didn't rock the boat by doing so.)

They brought the boat back to shore, Kitty chatting on about doing this again and how it was so fun and ect. The evening was just starting to spread as they wound their way back to the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters.

X-_X-_X

Both Rogue and Gambit were studiously not looking at Kitty and Colossus as they bid each other good-bye. Kitty's giggle was plainly apparent to the both of them.

"Y' just t'ink about all dese tings easily, Cherie," said Gambit, brushing a strand of white hair absently. He still couldn't believe Rogue let him near her still, the best blessing of his life. "The future'll hold whateva' it needs to hold. Nothin' mo', an' nothin' less."

"What're ya saying, Swampy?" Rogue crossed her arms, a teasing smirk on her face. "Ya getting' all philosophical now?"

"Jus' don't worry 'bout it, Cherie," he said softly to her, Kitty bound past them and inside, the gate open wide enough for them to get in. "Jus' be happy, huh?"

"Whatever," she sighed and turned. "See ya later, Remy."

Gambit caught her hand before she had gone to steps, and bent down to lay a tender kiss on her knuckles. "Most definitely, Ma Cherie."

"Night."

X-_X-_X

Rogue was no fool. She knew exactly what she wanted and exactly want she had to do. No matter what her pride may think and no matter how much she wishes she could do it on her own she wanted to be able to touch. She wanted to be able to touch, if only to caress Gambits gentle hands or feel the sun on the skin of her arms.

She went straight to the Professor's office; she didn't need any more time to think about this, she knew exactly what she wanted. Pride be damned.

"Professor," she began to say before she had even swung the door open. "Ah want that machine thing, and ah want it now."

She stopped with her hand still on the perfectly round door know. The professor was at his desk but he wasn't alone. An attractive mid forties red head sat across from him, she was dressed in a crisp white lapelled pant suit and was looking at Rogue in quiet astonishment over her red horn rimmed glasses.

"Sorry Professor," mumbled Rogue. She fought off the red that was threatening to heat her face. "Ah didn't realize ya'd be busy."

"It's quite alright Rogue," he smiled at her, and the women put down the teacup she had been holding. "In fact I'm glad you chose this moment to come to me with your decision."

The women recovered her mildly disturbed countenance and agreed with the Professor. "Yes indeed your coming to us is something I consider quite provincial."

The Professor smiled, the women smirked.

'Ah just walked into the twilight zone,' thought Rogue.

The Professor smiled wider.

"Rogue," said the Professor "This is a women I spoke of to you just the other day: This is Dr. Moira McTaggert."

Astonishment and coincidence.

"Ah see," is all Rogue could come out with. She didn't have to stay in that awkward office silence very long however as the women once again put down her tea and this time jutted up from her chair.

"Now," she began "If you're going to be using the X-Geneous Atom Nullifier there are some things you are going to need to know and do."

Rogue nodded numbly, and as an after thought put her hand on her hip.

"The X-GAN is not a permanent solution," the woman began to pace around Rogue, her accent echoing superiorly across the room. "It is a stasis that will help you on the path to a stronger gain."

"What?" said Rogue. She did not like being talked to like a young girl. "So it's gonna work for a few days and then go faulty?"

The woman's lips thinned and her nostrils flared, although she did a very good job of keeping her calm. Indeed she spoke in a very tranquil voice.

"No," she said "It blocks the X-Gene until such time as the X-Gene becomes immune to it. In the past this has been between three months and two years. In that time you will be given the bodily peace to be able to reign in your powers for yourself."

"Oh," Rogue replied. It was all she could think to say. The woman's explanation certainly gave her something more to think about.

"I will be helping you, Rogue," said the Professor, wheeling out from behind his desk. "Together we will help you control your powers, and finally, sustain that control."

They all stared at each other for a moment. You know that kind of stare. Where looking at each other you could all feel the nearly tangible excitement in the room, the adrenaline that would pump through your veins in preparation for a change.

"We will install in the morning," Dr. McTaggert dismissed Rogue. Turning back to her comfortable chair she directed her next statement to the Professor. "I think shortly before tea will be lovely, don't you?"

"Of course," he replied warmly.

"Hold on here," said Rogue, waving her arms once or twice. "What th' hell do ya'll mean installation?"

The woman turned halfway and lifted an eyebrow at Rogue. Glancing at the Professor her expression said that she was obviously going to let the Professor handle the response.

"All it is is a metal circlet that will more than likely be on your ankle or wrist, Rogue. It is absolutely nothing to worry about," he gave her an encouraging smile. "And you'll get a better look at it tomorrow. It is late and I think you should turn in, I know Dr. McTaggert would probably like to get rested?"

"Yes," Dr. McTaggert answered the Professors half question. Of course the Professor already knew the answer.

Rogue knew she had been clearly dismissed; twice even, so taking this and the information she had just learned she decided to leave the room. Not bothering to bid either of them goodnight she walked out in typical fashion, the door latching behind her.

One thought, among the many she could possibly think of, pervaded across her mind as she climbed the stairs with all the energy of a youth.

'When the hell is tea time?'

X-_X-_X

"Oh yes, Charles," the Scottish accent said, clearly pleased. "She will be quite perfect for the X-GAN."

"Yes," Charles Xavier replied "I have a lot of faith in Rogue; I believe she will be revolutionary."

"And hopefully," replied Moira "The first person to successfully use the X-GAN and retain control of their powers."

X-_X-_X

The first time I updated this chapter it had been an entire year since the third chapter, so I'm pleased that I now update this story at least once every couple of months. Like stated previously this story will be over before the year is out. (Hopefully, lol)

I decided it was time to finally edit this chapter. Not all that needed to be fixed is fixed, but as happens when you return to material that is years old, I find that I can't change certain things, or end up risking the plot line that was established in the past and the one that has been developed for the future.

Did anyone catch my school mistake again? I hadn't realized it occurred in this chapter as well.

Please review if you feel like doing so, it's always much appreciated! I love reading the thoughts of my readers.

-AnimeSiren