This mission was sure to be the death of her. There had been no further instructions over the past week and they were still waiting for contact. From the look of things they probably wouldn't be going home anytime soon. She was getting sick and tired of playing house and not for the reasons she had originally thought she would. Remy was a terrific actor, playing the doting husband far too well. She understood now what the Professor had meant about Remy's skills at blending in on a mission. No one would suspect them as anything other than a couple desperately in love. He was always there for her with whatever it was she might need before she even knew she needed it. A cold drink, a book to read, her sunglasses. He was always a step ahead.

When they were out in public he was constantly touching her, pulling her close whispering softly against the shell of her ear. At first she had been uncomfortable with the contact but it had become so commonplace she was now more uncomfortable when he wasn't touching her. She was enjoying his touch far too much and she knew how dangerous that was. What would happen when the mission was over and they went back home. No more touch for the Rogue. She sighed. It had been so nice, she felt almost like a normal girl enjoying the sun and beauty of Rome with her handsome lover. The only problem was he wasn't hers and they could never be lovers. It seemed she was forgetting that fact a little too often this week. Although no psych had manifested from their brief contact his thoughts were still floating aimlessly around her mind presenting themselves at the least opportune moments. Like last night, as he had reached for her hand across the intimate dinner table and held her gaze over the flickering candlelight she heard his voice echoing softly in her mind

"Dieu She's beautiful"

"No one's lips should be that soft or taste so sweet"

Her cheeks had flushed instantly and she drew in a shaky breath trying to calm her suddenly racing heart. He had merely smiled her favorite crooked grin and run the pad of his thumb over her gloved knuckles and she was mush in his hands. She was in some serious trouble. If this mission didn't pick up soon she was going to find herself head over heels for the New Orleans boy and there was no room in a womanizer's heart for an untouchable girl.

(*)

He was having far too much fun on this mission. Not only was he getting to spend time with Rogue but since they were on their alleged honeymoon and supposed to be madly in love, much of her prickly defense had dropped to the wayside. As tempting as she had been before, this new softer Rogue had him eating out of the palm of her hand.

Her every comfort had become his greatest concern. He was starting to feel like a love struck teenage boy, fetching her books and drinks just to see her surprised smile. It was as if no one had ever been nice to her before, the way she looked at him like some sort of white knight. Remy had been called many things but never a Knight. It was a nice feeling, and one he didn't want to lose.

He took every opportunity to put his arms around her, using their newlywed status as an excuse. At first she had been skittish, jumping away from his every caress but now he found her seeking him out. Reaching for his hand when they were out, holding him close when they were dancing. He understood now why she didn't show this side often. Who would be able to resist her when she was being so sweet? It wasn't easy to remember that he couldn't touch her skin. Her kiss still burned on his lips.

Just last night at dinner as he had gone to take her hand over the small table the most becoming blush had coloured her cheeks and she had gazed up at him through her sooty lashes, green eyes burning in the dim candlelight. He had been struck dumb unable to do anything but smile while he fixated on her lips and ran his thumb over her gloved fingers. Dieu she was like a drug and he was hooked.

He found himself hoping their contact would never show. He would happily spend forever pretending to be her husband and just staying close to her. He smirked to himself. Look at her, here he was the thief and there she was off stealing his heart.*

(*)

Today they were out for a walk and Remy had his arm slung casually around her waist. She resisted the urge to fan her suddenly warm cheeks. A girl could get used to all this attention. She tried to remind herself that this was the very reason that the Professor had put Remy on this mission choosing him over all the other x-men even though they had never worked together before.

Gambit was very good at pretending. This was nothing more than a mission to him and she had best start remembering that. When he took her hand or put his arm around her it was solely to keep up appearances, not because he wanted to touch her. Hell, nobody wanted to touch her, they were afraid to. He'd just been kind enough not to show how much he must hate it.

That was a sobering thought. Just because she was enjoying this mission and his physical contact far more than she should, didn't mean he was too. Instantly embarrassed she retreated back into her shell of disinterest and disdain. She walked rigidly beside him and answered his questions with clipped one word answers. She had to play the loving wife in public but that didn't mean she had to keep up the charade in private. This was a serious mission and it was time she started treating it like one.

When they arrived back at the hotel she quickly put some distance between them, retreating to the bathroom and drawing water for a bath. As the tub filled with she made her way back to the bedroom in search of a book to read while she was soaking and hiding from her teammate. He stood as she entered the room and the look in his eyes held her captive. It would be so easy to fall in love with a man like him when he looked at her like that.

(*)

He had been seated at the desk but stood as she entered the room. She quickly averted her gaze and kept it from meeting his again. Something had rattled his Chere and she was no longer comfortable by his side. He desperately wanted to know what it was that had driven her away but knew instinctively that pressing her now would only drive her further. No, it was best to give her space now, no matter how much he wanted to take her in his arms. He was however unable to withhold his gift any longer. It had become apparent rather quickly that she loved her baths, retreating often into the sweet smelling mist the steam created. She however only had bath oils the hotel supplied having not replaced the ones she lost with her luggage. Upon spying the familiar looking bottle today while she had been picking out a book he had made an impulsive purchase. Whenever he had seen her coming from the shared washroom in the mansion she had been carrying an identical bottle. Orange blossom and magnolia. Sniffing the contents he found the aroma missing some key element. A spice that was distinctly Rogue.

"Are you going to have a bath Petit?"

Her eyes stayed wide and vulnerable as she nodded meekly. He held up the tissue wrapped bottle. She stared at it, shock evident on her face before reaching forward with a shaky hand and taking the gift.

"Thank you" her voice was very soft in the quiet room and she turned quickly away and back to her bath. He watched her go, fighting the urge to chase after her and make her tell him what was wrong. She didn't trust him, and if he was honest with himself he didn't deserve her trust.

(*)

Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed and added me to their favorites

Love to hear what you think so far, please review

Nicci