Author Note: Here it is! Final chapter in this "ficlet" of mine. Hope you guys like what's in store. This will be the longest chapter yet with nearly 3800 word count (not including author notes). We have a POV change between both our protagonists in this chapter, so you'll finally get to see just what the hell is going on in Gambit's mind and read as how he tries to work through some of what's been happening in his past 12+ hours. Spoiler alert: this chapter is very corny - you have been warned.

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Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Set Free

Gambit POV:

We woke up a little after noon, the rumbling from the cars outside but a mere hum in my ears at this point. There was a small body curled around me with dark tresses of hair tickling my bicep. I had dreamt about this moment ever since our impromptu trip to New Orleans. This was enough – in fact, it was everything.

I tried to tighten my arm around her as inconspicuously as I could without waking her, still astonished by her new situation. I could touch her; she could touch me! The thought was both exciting and worrisome. Although it had been months since the last time I saw Rogue, I always enjoyed the easy-going banter that we shared whether it be in battle or otherwise – I would flirt with her, making some type of innuendo and she would retaliate with faux annoyance and hatred. But would that change now that she didn't have her mutation? Would our light-hearted and heated banter take on a new note now that she and I could physically retaliate towards each other?

And the trauma that she had experienced, mon Dieu. It was amazing that she was still functioning right now. When I walked into the jail she was held in, I wasn't even expecting to find her. I had finished my job – got the files that Magneto asked for and a vile of something that looked too important to not steal from the unsuspecting scientists. The shitty security system and easily infiltratable building was almost laughable. For the money that Mags was going to pay, this was a relatively easy job; however, he wouldn't have hired me if the occasion was not important.

As I was leaving the complex, I heard a distressed scream. It was familiar, sure, but I would never have thought it would be Rogue on the other side of the door, being ravished against her will by a brute of a man. I should've hit him hard enough to kill the man who was trying to take a nonconsenting innocent woman, especially my Rogue. But because I knew my chere, she would surely give me an earful about killing, blah-blah-blah-good-guy-crap-blah-blah. All I knew was that I needed to get her away from that situation, completely ignoring her ample breasts that were nearly on full view for the whole time we were in the building. Part of me wanted to gawk while another part of me wanted to shield her from any onlookers. Neither options happened until we got to the motorcycle and I handed my trench coat to her, so she would stay warm. I felt her tears as we sped away into the night but refused to react to them for fear of her pulling away. Magneto could wait – Rogue needed me now.

While I wanted to pull the woman in my arms closer to my chest, there was a contradicting voice in my head simultaneously telling me to pull away. I didn't just want to be a placeholder for her. She could touch anyone she wanted, love, kiss them.

What would she want with a dirty Cajun thief?

"Rogue wake up," I spoke into her ear while rubbing my hand lightly across her arm, savoring the tingling kinetic energy completely unrelated to my powers.

She said nothing, but her change in breathing and the tightening of her arm across my chest was indication enough that she was awake. God, she was enticing like this – pulling me closer instead of being forced to push me away. I wish… no, don't go there.

"C'mon, we need to get you home," I said willing the hurt to stay out of my voice.

She looked up to me then and I was unable to keep the hurt from my eyes. The scoundrel in me wanted to stay in this bed with this woman and never leave; the honorable me wanted to take her home to the X-Mansion, where she belonged although her fate as an X-Man was uncertain.

"Or we could just run away and never look back," she looked to me with hopelessness in her eyes.

"Don' say stuff like that," I asked of her, closing my eyes. Because you don't know how bad I want to do just that.

Something akin to recognition reached her eyes and the subject was dropped as soon as it began.

We got up and took our meager belongings down to the lobby to check out. I grabbed the files and stuck them in their previous area of my trench coat. I felt for the stolen vile and was both pleased and disgusted by the small glass that held Rogue's very being in it. At least those damn scientists didn't have it anymore.

The checkout process was relatively quick, and we made our way to my motorcycle slowly. The place we were at was only a short drive from Bayville, something I was both dreading and thankful for.

I handed Rogue a helmet as we stood in the near-empty parking lot. A light breeze blew her now-brushed hair away from her face which was devoid of any makeup. It suited her well. I gave her my jacket once more before walking completely out of the motel and the sight of it on her was near breath-taking in the light of day. A small smile graced her plump lips as she caught my staring. I couldn't help but do the same. "Take me home, Remy," she said while tightening the coat around her.

"Of course, chere," I said with a still-easy smile, dreading the near future.

As we sped down the highway and got closer to our destination, I was worried that Rogue could feel the incessant and increasing pounding of my heart against her hands.

The gates were wide open upon arrival, as if they were already expecting us. Perhaps that wasn't too far from the truth; two telepaths under the same room possibly predicting our forthcoming was not an unfathomable thought to have.

Nobody came through the door until both Rogue and I had disembarked and taken our helmets off.

I was in enemy territory. But she was home. And that was enough.

A blue puff of smoke appeared in front of Rogue, and I took my normal defensive stance. Rogue turned around from the plume of smoke, addressing me with a fixed glare. Stand down, her eyes roared.

"Force of habit," I shrugged, trying to appear relaxed for her peace of mind.

"God Dammit Kurt!" the auburn-haired spitfire coughed while addressing the new addition as he enveloped her in a tight hug. As Rogue clung to the blue creature's back, I remembered that these two were siblings despite their lack of resemblance. A small pit of jealousy withered away upon this realization.

"What happened to you?" he asked with concern.

Although Rogue was not facing me, her sudden rigidness gave way to distress. "Look, she's home safe, ain't she?" I sassed, criminalizing myself. I kidnapped her before, so it wasn't impossible – even in my own mind – to think I wouldn't do it again.

Kurt's face turned from worry to anger as he advanced on me. "You son of a –"

"Kurt!" Rogue yelled while pushing against his chest. "Don't."

He looked completely baffled as his angered eyes bore into my own.

She… defended my honor.

The slight quirk of my mouth was both a defiant smirk to Kurt and a bittersweet realization.

"Holy shit Rogue!" the one called Shadowcat yelled while phasing through the front door and running down the steps to greet her friend. Rogue stepped away from Kurt and I as I looked on at the joyous reunion. He seethed at me but remained at-bay, choosing wisely to avoid a battle in the garden.

I was most surprised to see Colossus make his way down the stairs, his metal armor unsheathed in his human form. "As I live and breathe," I muttered with a redefined smirk returning. Piotr came to me with a knowing smile on his face.

"Long time no see Brother," he greeted with a light Russian accent.

I brought him in for a quick man-hug, but he held on a little longer. He whispered, "You didn't do this, did you?"

I was momentarily pained by his mistrust. "No, not this time," I said just as quietly.

"Good," he said while releasing me with a relieved sigh. "You here to join the X-Men?"

"Not quite, Big Guy. Just thought you might want your teammate back, and who better to deliver than little ole Remy?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Sugar," Rogue spoke up, now standing at Piotr's side. "More like… right place, right time."

"So it was fate then?" I teased back.

She said nothing, but a hint of blush dusted her cheeks.

"Professor is gonna wanna see you Rogue… you too Gambit," Kitty said while looking between the both of us.

Even so, I couldn't take my eyes off the apprehensive-looking angel in front of me. I tried to smile comfortingly to her, hoping that the gesture didn't appear like my normal smirk or a grimace.

Everything will be fine, I tried to convey in that silent message.

It wasn't much longer before the senior members of the X-Men were gathered into the spacious office of Charles Xavier. I was sat down in a seat as everyone stood around me, while the Professor sat at his desk with a calm smile. So far, it seemed they were debriefing me first – although it felt more like an interrogation. Good cop sat in front of me while Bad cop leered near the door with a sneer on his face. Typical Wolverine. Beast also stood off to the side next to Storm with calm expressions, where Cyclops and Jean Grey occupied the other end of side of the office, distrustful yet polite. However, as Cyclops brought his arm possessively against the red-head's lower back in an obvious show of dominance, I was unsure of how polite he really was in this moment.

"So… Gambit," Professor X began.

"Please, Remy will be fine," I claimed.

"Remy, then," the older gentleman smiled. "Would you like to tell us what happened?"

Rogue had not been debriefed yet and I feared what questions they may ask her, and if she was ready to yet divulge her story to everyone. "I don't work for Magneto anymore, but I was employed by him to fetch some information. I… do not know what his intention was when he got said information, but he gave off no signal that he would use it to do harm this time around."

"How can you be employed by someone you don't work for, Gumbo?" the Wolverine asked snidely.

"I'm a mutant, not a king. Still gotta pay the bills," I claimed easily.

His lip barely quirked in response in what appeared a smile before it fell once more into his stoic features.

"What was it that you retrieved?" Storm asked, now standing nearer to the Professor. She glared briefly at Wolverine for his off-topic chiding, but it held little malice from what I usually received.

I sighed, my whole body moving in unison with the motion of the exhale. I sat forward in the chair and reached my hand into my recently-returned trench coat. I paid them little attention as I retrieved what was needed and imperceptibly smelled the sweet scent of Rogue against the collar of the oversized jacket. I retrieved the large file holder and the vile of liquid from the pocket, setting the contents on the desk. "I have not glanced at the files myself, but they looked important… and the vile. It… contains –"

"Yes, I know," Xavier interrupted, noticing my hesitation. It didn't matter that the others likely had no idea what we both knew.

"I was leaving the premise when I heard Rogue, and that's when I got her out of there, but… no powers," I said in nearly a whisper.

Everyone in the room respectfully bowed their head to keep their surprise at bay. Even from behind me, I heard Wolverine grunt.

"We will hold off our debriefing with Rogue until she has had time to rest and recover," Storm said to the group, everyone shaking their heads in agreement.

"Shall I perform a physical examination to make sure she is in good health?" Beast asked.

"Only if she deems it necessary," the Professor claimed calmly. "Now I know why I could only sense you coming to us, Mr. LeBeau. Although I was fairly certain she was with you," he joked lightly in regard to the past. "Remy, as gratitude for bringing our team member back, I ask that you consider joining the X-Men, so that we may utilize your knowledge and ability for future endeavors."

"Thank you, Professor Xavier," I claimed. I was excited at the prospect but worried that I would not be accepted. I was their enemy after all. But then again, so was Colossus. And the Brotherhood. And even Rogue if the gossip that floated around the two groups confirmed it so.

However, as I gazed across some faces in the room, I wasn't so sure that I was wanted.

"I have to decline your offer," I said. "Keep the files, if you wish. It is no longer a priority of mine."

At the beginning of this mission, I was excited to earn such a respectable amount of money, yet now… that was changed. Xavier could contact Magneto if he really wanted if their strange friendship was anything to go by.

When Rogue had been in distress, it was instinct to get her away from that horrid situation, payment be damned. It wasn't until after I gave her my coat the first time around that I realized I gave her the very entity of my mission. And yet, I didn't care – all I could register was how lovely she looked wrapped in my clothing or the way she felt upon my motorcycle.

It was about her now – became about her. And now, I was captivated, Lord help me.


Rogue POV:

Gambit said he would take care of it. And he gave me that damned smirk to go along with it. Damn him.

So now, I waited alone in my private quarters, making sure that Kitty and Kurt absolutely understood that I wanted some privacy before their monstrosity of questions was to come.

For a while, I anxiously sat atop my bed, relishing in the familiarities of it, yet missing the Cajun who had kept me warm the night before.

Before long, I pulled myself out of my revolving thoughts, thinking that now would be a good time to get out of these rags of clothing. I traded my torn shirt for my faded purple off-shoulder sweater, forgoing the normal tank top I wore underneath, along with a pair of cinched sweatpants. When I looked back into the mirror, I was surprised to see dark purple bruises mare my skin across my clavicle and near my hips. I couldn't help but poke at them lightly. They didn't hurt, and I had surely suffered worse; still, I cursed the fiend who marked me so.

I might be a mutant, but he was the monster.

I heard a creek near the door and was surprised to see Remy standing at the doorway, leaning against the wall. "If I had your radiant beauty, I would be staring at me too," he smirked, mistaking my wonder for vanity.

"Don't think me so vain, Gambit," I said while attempting to hide the bruises on my hips. I pulled the shirt down slightly while only showcased the marks upon my chest. Despite my efforts, he noticed. While his half-smirk remained intact, his eyes lost any semblance of playfulness. It was a thief's job to notice his surroundings.

"Can I help you?" I asked while slipping a hoodie over my body.

"No, just came to say goodbye," Remy replied.

"You're… leaving?" I asked, surprised. "No… of course you are."

The air between us was rather tense as we stood apart from one another, me not allowing him access to the room. "Nice looking room you got here cheré," he claimed nonchalantly.

"Yeah it's a pretty great room and it looks like you got the best view from right there," I sassed back.

"Seems so," he said mysteriously. I couldn't figure him out. "But I thought I'd just give you the courtesy of letting you know that I was leaving. I know you'll miss me," he said all-knowingly.

"I will, don't you worry," I spoke vehemently, although my eyes crinkled with elation at his playfulness.

"Say you'll think of me when you're alone at night in this room… on that bed. Nothing but good thoughts," he kept the game going.

"Only if you do the same," I played back.

"Never stopped since the first time I met you," he said cheekily.

"When you tried to blow my hand off, you mean?" I asked with a raised brow.

"That would've left no more than a scratch cheré," he rolled his eyes.

"I'd beg to differ Cajun," I mumbled.

He stepped closer to me, disregarding the lack of invitation, taking my hand – still gloved – and dropped a shameless kiss to the back of it. "Farewell, mon amour," he whispered huskily, turning to walk away.

"Wait!" I yelled to him, seizing his attention once more. I went to my nightstand and retrieved my journal, turning to the very back of it and taking out the slightly protruding object. I went back to Gambit and took his hands in my own, slipping the crisp card into his palm. "For good luck," I said to him as he gazed at his queen of hearts. "Your lucky lady," I went on, repeating his words from so long ago.

"Something like that," he smiled at me, pocketing the card gratefully. "Goodbye Rogue." He fully turned away, making his exit.

"Goodbye Remy," I whispered with a heavy heart, sitting on the edge of the bed.

The door was still slightly ajar as he made his way out of the mansion. A knock sounded at my door not but a minute later and I looked up to find Logan standing there. "Hey kid," he tried to smile. It looked more like a grimace.

"Hey Logan, you can come in," I said. He hesitated at my invitation but walked in nonetheless.

"Saw the Cajun leaving. He didn't look too happy," he deadpanned.

My eyes widened slightly in surprise. Maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way that I did. Maybe he didn't want to go as much I didn't want him to leave. "Is that so?" I asked, mocking curiosity. Logan came here for a reason, and I just wished he would make his damn point already.

"Prof. offered to put him up. Got the feeling that he didn't feel welcome here," he sighed loudly.

"You didn't happen to be an instigator of such, did you?" I asked. The Professor asked him to join the X-Men and he… declined? Of course he would, stupid Cajun and his dumb male pride.

"Look kid. I don't like the guy. Never did, and especially not after that bullshit he pulled in New Orleans," he said matter-of-fact. It was no secret that the two didn't get along. At all. Whatsoever. By any means. "But there are some people who want him around I suppose…" he trailed off. "And the rest of us can tolerate him."

"Logan…?" I asked while standing from my bed.

"Can you just… go convince the fool to stay? I don't need you moping around here over some guy," he groaned while opening the door a little wider for me. "Especially him," he mumbled as I quickly walked out.

Him. For it was him who I could touch now and him who I wanted to touch. And I had wanted him to stay. If I wanted to touch, he needed to stay. I needed him to stay.

I jogged down the stairs, hopping down the last four of them and ran out through the door as his motorcycle began to rev to life. "Wait!" I yelled. "You idiot Cajun! I told you to wait!" I yelled again as he indicated his head my way, killing the engine and dismounting. Still, I ran to him.

I ran until I was safely in his arms, hugging him fiercely around his neck. His arms stayed at his sides in surprise but quickly wrapped around my waist. "My God Rogue, what's wrong?" he asked with concern.

"Stay," I simply stated into his shoulder. "Stay here with us. With me." I refused to let go of him and only held him tighter to me.

"Rogue…" he began while nuzzling my cheek with his own. The tone of his voice seemed like he was about to argue my request.

I pulled away enough to look him in the eye, but still kept my arms wrapped around his shoulders and around the nape of his neck. His arms never left their position at my waist while his thumbs drew intoxicating circles into my sides lightly. "No Remy. I want you here," I stated vehemently, willing him to understand what words could not convey. Perhaps there were words that could speak to what I was saying, but I was not ready for such a conviction. "Stay," I demanded.

"I might need some convincing," Remy sighed dramatically while waggling his eyebrows as I felt one of his gloved hands on my bare cheek, the warmth of his fingers seeping through the thin material as some of his uncovered fingers touched me dearly.

"Shut your mouth," I said, kissing him for the second time, although it would be the first that I truly remembered. Our lips molded and moved against each other seamlessly. His experience far outweighed my own, but we both realized that I was a fast learner, eager for more as I bit his bottom lip. Did I mention I was eager?

Our chaste kiss turned passionate, but after some minutes, we withdrew. Better to not give people something to look at and gossip about.

We stayed molded against each other with his forehead resting against my own, breathing each other's air. He was such a stunning man. And that kiss… it was so damn hot!

"Might need another kiss to convince little ole Remy," he smirked. I couldn't help but match him with my own saucy grin.

"I was thinking the same," I said huskily while claiming his luscious lips once more.

And just like that, I was captivated.


Cheesy as hell ending? Yes! Couldn't help myself for the last chapter! I feel like such a sappy writer sometimes. Hope you all liked it and thank you, thank you, THANK YOU all for sticking with this short story. Let me know if you want to see more from these two in this universe. Don't forget to show your love - review/follow/favorite :) Keep it classy, everyone!