Koneko-Firefly: Thank you! I am indeed updating as you can see. And yes, this will become a Romy eventually. Jean/Remy is a no-no. I can see where you might get the impression, but don't forget, Jean was the only one awake when he first arrived so she is more grateful to be free.

Chica (shortening it!): This is why I like Remy! He's attitude is quite different to everyone else's. Some say he is too similar to Wolverine. I don't think he is.

Wolverinegal: Wait a minute what do you mean? Mary Sue story? I didn't think I had wrote a Mary Sue story? If you mean War of the Worlds, Aurora is a little Mary-Sue-ish, but very little. I did her on this test: www(dot)missy(dot)reamer(dot)com/library/guide.html and only got about 3 or 4. And that classed her as an original character! It's not like she's a tragic heroine or anything. Sorry, it's a touchy subject. I was proud for making a good story (that was the first fanfic I ever wrote) and I don't like people saying it's a Mary Sue when I've had plenty of comments otherwise saying it isn't. However, onto this story! I'm glad you like this. Gambit's reasons are somewhat shady, but all will come clear.

Sych77: Hello spouse! Lol, how are you? Great you like Gambit. He's different than in my saga. Seems a lot less dark and generally more light hearted.

Arinya: I've brought Gambit into a story before, but in a very different way. If you want a peek, look at my story called The Passion from the Past and go to chapters 12, 13, 14. Thank you for your great compliements. Hope you keep reading!

Spicy Sweet: No, they didn't get anything. Stryker hardly cares about that since he was going to kill them anyway!

Racetrack's Goil: It was out of the ordinary though, wasn't it? Lol. But yeah, I liked Gambit's entry. And Logan will be in this story, perhaps not as much as he is in my others for this is a Gambit/Rogue story, or will be eventually, at the moment it's a Jean story. And why can't you watch X2? You're missing out! It's fantastic!

Mela, Prexistence, Sakura5tar, Blix, Ishandahalf, WolvGambit (shortening it!), Enchanted Light, Maid of the Mer: Thank you all for you're really promising reviews. Love you all for reviewing!

Chapter 4

As the group reached the cell containing the younger mutants they could hear distant sounds of grouping soldiers. With a hurry, Gambit moved forth, unlocking the door with the ring of keys he had managed to keep hold of amongst all the fighting. Inside they could hear confused murmurings and crying. No doubt the children had woken up when the X-Men did. Gambit pushed open the door but Storm pushed past him to scramble inside. She was instantly collided into by sobbing children - who had clamoured around her in desperation of their freedom. Storm quickly backed out of the room, pulling the group with her. Her hands held the small palms of the youngest children there.

"We need to find the Jet," she said to the team, looking around at them sternly although her eyes were shining with tears.

"We go there next," said Gambit as he turned with a sweep of his cloak and strode down the corridor, eyes turning hurriedly as he kept an eye out.

Wolverine followed close behind, a grim expression on his face, "It's clear for the time being," he murmured, squinting at the back of Gambit's head.

"We'll take care of any who come across us," replied Gambit as he walked swiftly ahead. "Come on now, just down here." He hurried down the corridor, the large group of mutants following quickly. A large door sat in place at the end and Gambit strode up to it. he checked the keys on the ring, jangling it slightly as he picked out one and settled it into the lock. It turned and unlocked, the door being slid open into the wall, "There it is."

The X-Men quickly pushed by Gambit, running towards their transportation desperately, knowing it would be their quickest way out of this place. Gambit stood to one side, calmly watching the mutants run towards it. He folded his arms slowly across his chest, "Remember, ya can't go to the mansion." He told them, then glancing over to Charles, "Stryker's been there for a while. Too dangerous to go near. I can take ya somewhere for now. New York will be fine, ain't too far from home for ya then is it?"

"Anything, it doesn't matter," said Storm as she hurried the children ahead of her and up the now lowered steps of the jet, "We just need to get out of here. That's our main priority. And the children need some food and water."

"I can get dat," said Gambit with a sweeping bow, "But let us get to New York first. We need to lie low." He ran on behind the group, being the last to run up the steps to enter the large Jet. He cast a keen eye around the inside. This thing was admittedly fancy. "Very suave," he commented, spinning around one of the metal seats.

"Yes, yes, sit down," snapped Storm as she pointed him over to the lines of benches against the walls where the children sat. Gambit gave her a slight scowl, disliking the fact that his heroism had been long since extinguished now the X-Men were in charge. For now, he decided to stay quiet. He wouldn't let them forget that is was he who had saved their lives. "Gambit likes his little game," he murmured under his breath, words undistinguishable since the engine had begun. He buckled himself in a little way down the Jet, separating himself from the other mutants.

After the journey had been going for a good while, Gambit was sat with his head leant back on the metal wall behind him, eyes roaming the ceiling in thorough boredom. In his hands he absently shuffled his trademark pack of cards. "Y'know.." he said, apparently to no one in particular, "You've been watching me for the past half an hour, did ya Mama ever tell you it be rude to stare?" His eyes lowered to look across to a girl sat opposite him on one of the lowered benches. At being addressed, she jumped and muttered something about not meaning to.

At having his eyes upon the girl, he observed her appearance. Admittedly she was not in the cleanest of states since her imprisonment, but that didn't stop her clothing looking attractive, although bizarre. She was wearing a white shirt with a patterned indigo stitching that must have dated from a long time before she was born. Also, on her arms she wore white silk opera gloves. This had to be the most surreal item of clothing Gambit had ever seen a woman wear. Especially with the casual although mixed up entire. The girl appeared to have realised she was being observed closely as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Gambit's eyes travelled up to her face, spending a moment to glance over her features, including the dual streaks of ivory that hung limply either side of her face. They contrasted strikingly with her dark brown hair.

"It's alright," answered Gambit after he had studied her. "Tell me, what's ya name?"

"Rogue," said the girl, more clearly this time. Her speech seemed to have alerted the attention of a boy sat besides her whose head had spun round so suddenly his neck cricked. His face was full of an attentive passion; his frosty blue eyes keenly watched Rogue as though she may be requiring his help. Gambit found the whole situation rather laughable and spent a moment chuckling to himself, which caused Rogue to look offended.

"Oh, no, no," said Gambit, waving a hand in dismissal as he shook his head slightly, "Not laughin' at ya name, chere, very beautiful name. I'm laughing at this one 'ere," he jerked a thumb at the boy.

Rogue turned to look at the boy besides her. Blinking as though trying to work out what was so funny about him, "Bobby? Why? What's he doin'?" Her southern accent came into play slightly, causing Gambit to smile fondly.

"I'm not doing anything," Bobby said defensively, glaring across to Gambit, already beginning to harbour a dislike to the man, even though he had just rescued them all.

But Gambit just smiled, causing Bobby to give a scorned sound and look away. Rogue chuckled quietly to his reaction, her eyes catching Gambit's. She returned his smile.

The jet swooped low over nighttime New York City as Gambit informed them that they were near their new home. Logan grumbled momentarily about having to leave the mansion but Jean calmly explained they had little choice and should listen to Gambit, which spurred a bright grin from the Cajun. As the Jet landed in a quiet run down area of town, the stairs were lowered and everyone quickly descended. Gambit took the lead, disappearing quickly down a long dark alley, leaving Scott to scramble to turn on the image inducer before running after the group looking flustered.

"Why can't we sleep inside the Jet?" asked Scott as he joined them again.

"Because if by the small chance that the Jet is found, then they won't find us. Stryker's goons will be looking for that soon, and though it may be invisible their radar will pick it up. So, for now, you hide with me."

"And you know where we're goin'?"

"Absolutely. I have been stayin' here myself for the past few weeks."

"So you're hiding too huh?" said Logan, eyes falling upon Gambit to watch him closely through the darkness. Gambit cast Logan a sideways glare, expression clearly telling Logan to not elaborate. However, Logan did not get a chance for Gambit had turned the corner around a old ran-sacked building and walked slowly down a slope.

Jubilee, who was walking with the rest of the students stopped and let out a little cry. "No way!"

"Ah, come on, ya can handle a bit of dirt," said Gambit.

In front of them was a large circular portion of concrete disappearing downwards into the ground. A long slimy chute descended from view into darkness. Puddles of dark liquid were swimming at the bottom of the slope, running from the surrounding area.

"Its a sewer!" shrieked Jubilee, looking almost ready to go back to the hands of Stryker.

"It's a hiding place!" snapped Gambit, pointing at it, "Trust me, we don't want to wait out here much longer. Get underground. They'll be upon us soon if ya don't hurry!"

Jean looked up from the grimy entrance to watch Gambit slowly, "Alright. It sounds like you have your reasons. Come on everyone; go inside, but down go too far ahead! Marty, light the way for us?" she asked a dark haired boy who nodded quickly and hurried over to the sewer entrance. His hands spread and dual glowing orbs shone from them, lighting up the tunnel to reveal just how filthy it was. Jubilee gagged and covered her mouth as Rogue pulled her in with her. Slowly, the crowd stepped in. Gambit cast a careful eye over his shoulder to check they were not being followed before he slipped into the shadows, following the distant light.

There we go! Please review! Don't be shy, I love long reviews.