Disclaimer: Characters aren't mine, blah blah blah, they belong to Marvel, blah blah blah
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Chapter #7: Secret's Out
Remy watched as Jean's SUV pulled out of the mansion gates and turned to disappear down the main road, his lady-love snuggled in the back seat among Ororo and the luggage. He let out a long sigh and shut the main door. Turning back into the entrance hall, he found himself facing Scott, who had also opted to watch his woman drive away.
'Finally,' Scott breathed, loosening his shoulders and smiling at the Cajun. 'I thought they'd never leave.'
Remy stared. 'Say what?'
Scott chuckled at the expression that was now plastered on Remy's face. 'You won't understand. You're still new at this relationship crap.' He cracked his neck and lounged off towards the kitchen. Remy followed him.
'Whatcha mean, homme? I've had plenty of experience.'
Scott snickered and poured himself a glass of juice. 'I'm talking about a serious relationship. With one woman.'
Remy shrugged up his shoulders.
'The point is,' Scott went on, 'is that once you've been in a relationship long enough, you start yearning for some space. Jean feels the same way. It doesn't mean we love each other less. It only means we've become comfortable with each other.' Seeing that he wasn't convincing Remy in the least, he shrugged. 'When the weekend is over, Jean will be coming back home to me. That's enough for me to know I can trust her being away. And it's enough of a gap to want her madly when she returns.' He raised his cup in good cheer. Remy simply shook his head.
'Dat's sad, mon ami. Your relationship, it has hit de graveyard.'
'The graveyard?'
'Where de romance goes to die.'
Scott chuckled. 'Admit it, Gambit. It's not the woman you're going to miss, but the sex.'
Remy nearly chocked on his own words. 'What sex?' He thought it was obvious that he and Rogue were not engaged in anything sexual whatsoever, so it surprised him that Scott would seem so wayward about it.
Scott raised a brow, and then clenched his jaw. Jean had told him about Rogue's most recent development of her powers over the last two months. She now had nearly complete control… and it seemed rather impossible that she would not have shared this information with her boyfriend. Considering the sexual charge that tensed up a room full of people when they were together, Scott was almost sure she would have.
'Uhhh… you aren't having sex?' Scott cursed himself. He had just made a very big mistake… because he realized he had leaked out a very serious secret…
Remy crossed his arms over his chest. 'Non. Am I supposed to be?' He was starting to get suspicious.
'No… I just thought that maybe… I don't know… Rogue had controlled her powers or something.' For a leader, Scott was doing a poor job saving his neck.
'What? Non, she hasn't been able… to…--' and then it hit him. 'Wait… what you be saying?!'
Scott flinched. He never really liked Gambit. He found the man to be an egotistical, dumbfounded womanizer who really had no assets the team could use. Now, however, staring at the man whose face was contorted in utter confusion, he felt a sort of companionship. Well, not companionship. Perhaps it was more like sympathy. After all, before Jean came along, Scott's own sex life was practically nonexistent. That… and he felt the world begin to crumble around him. If Jean ever found out that it was he who had told Remy Rogue's secret… he'd be sleeping on the couch for eternity. Not to mention he'd have to also face Rogue's wrath…
Scott shuddered at the thought. 'Look, Gambit. It's not really my place to—' Before he could continue, Remy cut him off with a nasty look.
'I deserve to know,' he said, anger dripping off each word. Aside from what Scott thought, Remy was an intelligent boy. And this intelligent boy was beginning to piece things together. Why was Rogue having special "appointments" with Jean? Why did he find her sometimes in the lab alone with Hank? Why had she refused each time to tell him? What was she hiding? And what was Scott suggesting? He had promised Rogue no more secrets, and he had expected the same from her. Now, however, he had the sudden cold-clenching feel that she was hiding something from him.
Scott gave up on his juice, and let out a long sigh. 'I don't know all the details,' he said, simply. 'If you're curious, I suggest you seek out Hank. He knows more than I can tell you. He's on a mission right now… but he'll be back tomorrow.'
Remy glared. The man had seduced him by showing him a precious gem, and was now refusing to let him hold it. But Remy only nodded and tried to regain his composure. He could understand Scott's predicament, and decided that getting the information out of him wouldn't be as fulfilling as what Hank might be able to tell him.
'Fine,' he said, getting up. 'I'll wait.' With that he left the kitchen.
Scott groaned. He was so dead.
--
It was a small cabin on the outskirts of a great lake, but the view was amazing. Betsy had stumbled on the place years ago when she had turned off the road one night to relieve the alcohol in her stomach, and had shared its location with the other girls. It soon became the girl's hideaway and they usually visited the location once every few months. It was located just outside a small, busy city where anything and anyone could be found. It was considered the home of the original party, and always welcomed the girls to a good time.
The cabin itself was homey, with two rooms, a small kitchen, and a large living space. It was nicely furnished with large wooden upholstery and quilted blankets, handmade rugs, and sweet-smelling dream catchers. It reminded Rogue of a house that could most likely be found in a country music video. It was a perfect place to unwind and relax. The peaceful atmosphere was intoxicating…
'YOU CAN WHAT?!'
Well, almost peaceful…
The girls had unpacked, two to a room. Rogue and Ororo had taken the room opening out into the garden, while Jean and Betsy had taken the room that opened out to the lake. Finishing with their unpacking, they had all filtered into the main living space, lit the fire in the huge fireplace, grabbed various pillows and blankets, and engaged themselves fully in a game of Truth or Dare.
It had been Betsy's turn to ask Rogue a question, and Rogue's answer was enough to wipe the peace off any location. With her empty wine glass now lying somewhere in the folds of her blanket, Betsy stared open-mouthed at Rogue. 'You've got to be kidding me…'
Rogue lowered her eyes and twisted her pillow between her hands. She always hated this game. No one ever really dared her to do anything. They were always so keen on asking her personal questions. Beside her, she could feel Jean physically sigh. The truth was out.
'That was an unfair question, Elizabeth,' Ororo said, sternly. She had also been shocked by Rogue's reply, but unlike the dark haired woman, Ororo was quick to recover. After all, she always knew this day would come.
'What? I was only curio—'
'It's alraht,' Rogue said, her voice soft. 'Ah was gonna tell y'all sooner or later.' She looked up with a faint smile, and then pulled her gloves off of her hands. 'It's been a month now, Ah believe, since Ah learned how to touch for a long duration of time.' She looked at Jean for confirmation, who nodded back encouragingly. 'Ah think Ah'm ready ta go public…'
'Rogue, you sound like you've been in the closet too long,' Betsy joked, and she laughed. She flung her arms around Rogue's shoulders and gave her a hearty squeeze. 'Welcome to the "I can touch" club.'
Jean rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide her smile… or her relief. She was so glad it was all out in the open now. No more hiding, no more secrets.
'Well Ah was scared,' Rogue confessed. She stared into her mug of chocolate milk. 'Ah didn't wan' everyone ta find out at once. It'd be too overwhelmin'.'
'Which is totally understandable,' Ororo said, soothingly. 'What did Remy say when you told him?'
Rogue's face paled. 'Ah… sorta haven't told him… yet…'
'Wait, you haven't told your man you can touch him now?!' Betsy was beside herself. 'You are aware that you're dating Mr. Lebeau… only the most hottest guy around.'
Jean touched her temple, feeling a headache breeding there. Here we go, she thought…
Rogue clenched her jaw. Well of course she knew. She wasn't an idiot. She wished Betsy would just calm down. 'Well, it ain't that easy, ya know,' she said, her voice rising a bit higher than she would have liked. 'Ain't like I haven't been wantin' ta tell him!'
'Of course, Rogue. Of course it would be difficult.' Ororo shot Betsy a threatening look. 'But I think, now that you have told us, that you should find a way to tell him. He might not like knowing he was not the first to know.'
'Well tough,' Rogue said, completely put out.
Jean lowered her hand from her temple and placed it on Rogue's shoulder. 'You should take all the time you need, Rogue,' she said, calmly. 'You deserve some space to work with your new control.' She smiled affectionately at the younger woman, and then gazed more sternly at the other two. 'Rogue has just mastered this control. The last thing she needs is some horny French boy drooling all over her.'
There was silence for perhaps a moment before all four women broke into fits of laughter.
'You said it, Jeanny,' Betsy managed to say, wiping tears from her eyes. 'You said it.'
--
That night, Remy entered a very cold bed. He wasn't wearing anything but knew that within moments, his body heat would warm the chill between his sheets. He propped his head up on his hands and stared at the ceiling. He felt tired, but couldn't sleep. So much filled his mind. He was confused as to how to feel at the moment. He was sure that Rogue had found some sort of control over her powers. Why else would Scott have been so precise?
This made Remy extremely happy. He wanted nothing more than to share a normal life with Rogue. A normal life.
But if his hypothesis on the situation was correct, then it meant that Rogue had lied to him.
This made Remy mad. Why would she hide something this serious from him? Surely he had proved he was worthy of her trust?
Or had he? Remy couldn't help but doubt himself. What if, deep inside, Rogue still hadn't forgiven him? What if the Trial in Antarctica still haunted her?
This made Remy afraid. He couldn't stand the thought of losing her. Not after getting so close. No, losing her was not an option. Not as far as he was concerned.
He rolled onto his stomach. There was nothing more he could do until Hank retuned the next day. Then Remy would get his answers… and then he could think.
He groaned as he closed his eyes. Losing her was definitely not an option.
--
That same night, Rogue lay awake in her bed, staring up at the wood-paneled ceiling. She could feel Ororo move around in the darkness in preparation for bed.
'Ya think Ah shoulda told him, don't ya,' she said, after a lengthy silence. Neither of the two women had spoken a word since retiring into this room.
'What I think does not matter,' came Ororo's voice. She was somewhere near the window, and so Rogue turned her head in that direction. Sure enough, she could make out Ororo's silhouette against the glow coming from outside.
'But it does…' Rogue replied, with a sigh. 'An' you're raht. Ah shoulda told him first. Ah shoulda told him a long time ago.'
'But you did not, so nothing can be done.' Ororo was moving around the room again and Rogue had the sudden feeling of being surrounded by the sultry voice. 'Let us just hope that he does not find out through someone else.'
Rogue shook her head, her hair ruffling against the plush pillow. 'Only us gals know,' she said, sounding overly convinced. 'And Hank.'
The bed located near the window creaked and she knew that Ororo had finally settled in.
'Storm?'
There was a moment of silence, and Rogue wondered if Ororo hadn't already nodded off to sleep. Then…
'Yes?'
The confidence Rogue had felt during her last dinner with Remy was fading. At that time she had decided that she would tell him upon her return from this trip, but… 'Ah'm scared ta tell him.'
More silence.
'Why?'
Silence.
'Ah dunno. What if he doesn't want me any more after… after…'
'After he has had his way with you?'
Rogue inwardly groaned. It sounded so much more foolish coming from Ororo than it had sounded in her mind.
'Yea. Ah love him… and Ah don't wanna lose him.'
There was more rustling coming from Ororo's bed and Rogue got the distinct feeling that she was being closely watched.
'I do not think Gambit will allow himself to get lost, Rogue.' Ororo paused. Perhaps she had nothing else to say. Perhaps she was thinking of the right words. In either case, Rogue waited for something more. She needed advice… and more importantly, guidance. She was rarely the one to ask, always being too stubborn to take any. But when the opportunity arose to rob some, as it did now, she was wise enough to keep her mouth, and her pride, quiet. 'Experience makes the person. Look at all you and Gambit have been through. Look at how far you have come. If he did not want your love, he would not be spending all this time with you now.'
Rogue sighed. 'Ah know that.'
'Then why this sudden low-esteem? Knowing you can touch him will not drive him away. It will drive him closer to you. Gambit is not the type to run. I do not see him running from you.'
Rogue frowned. She knew all this. Storm… she wasn't getting it. 'No… it's not that…'
There was more silence, in which it was now Ororo's turn to await something more from Rogue. She didn't have to wait long.
'Ah'm afraid that… well… he's so experienced. Ah mean, this is Remy we're talkin' about. And Ah'm… Ah'm…' She bit her lip. She was making herself mad. For the very first time she felt all her confidence bow down to an unnatural fear. 'What if Ah'm not good enough?'
Thank the goddess for the darkness. Ororo had the biggest grin on her face, and knew that if Rogue were to see it, it would have hurt her feelings. But Ororo couldn't help it. She was finding this entire conversation rather charming, and it was almost as if she were reliving her own first love. For all her strutting and flirting, Rogue was still very naïve.
'He was your first, was he not?' The question was posed carefully. Ororo still wasn't sure how open Rogue was with sharing things about her personal life.
'Yea…'
'And he stuck around, did he not?'
'Yea…'
'That is saying something, I would think.'
'Yea.'
Silence ensued.
'Rogue?'
'Yea?'
'The two of you will do just fine. Do not fear what may come. Grasp only what is there.'
Silence.
'Thanks, Storm.'
'You are welcome, Rogue. Good night.'
'Sleepsweet.'
Rogue smiled. Ororo was right. There was nothing she should be afraid of. Remy loved her and nothing would make him run now. She was sure of it. She would tell him first thing upon her return. First thing.
