Ch. 9  A Good Night's Work

            When Saturday finally came, Rogue thought her nerves might really kill her this time.  The first date, a marker in her life.  Rogue who stood up to Acolytes, Magneto, mutant hunting robots, and a house full of adolescents now knew true fear.  'What am Ah doin'???'  She buried her face into her hands with an outward groan.  'Not like this is gonna go anywhear.  That's it Ah'm callin' him.'  Rogue rose from her favorite balcony chair and walked inside.  She still limped, but it was not very noticeable.

            "Oh no you don't," Cried Kitty as she phased through Rogue's door and dashed over the table where the phone rested.   She positioned herself between Rogue and desk, arms spread out next to her. "Rogue you can't call this off!!"

            "Kitty, It was stupid ta begin with," The younger girl scowled, but did not move.  In any fight where the two were paired against each other, Rogue always won, but a sore wrist and a partly healed ankle worked in Kitty's favor this time.

            "Rogue if you don't, like, go get in the shower NOW! Remy will have to take you out in wheelchair," The cute pony-tailed valley girl tried hard to look menacing. It did not work not in the least.  Rogue feel against the hard wood desk chair as she held her still tender side in laughter.  "I am like sooooo serious here!"

            "Tha's tha funny part," Rogue wiped here eyes on the back of her hand and looked into the determined face of her friend.  "Kitty, please, it ain't tha' big a deal ta call it off.  Not like we could be headin' fo wedded bliss o' anythin'."

            "That is like sooooooooo not the point Rogue," Kitty shook her head vehemently, and did not move an iota from in front of the phone.

            "Then wha' is tha point?" Came an exasperated reply as Rogue sank into the chair. "People go out on dates cuz they like someone raght?  Ya suppose' ta go out have fun, n' do things lahke hold hands.  Tha only way my hand is eva gonna be held is with these."  Her hands moved out before her as sad eyes looked to them.  Each finger and each palm encased in a fine leather that extended past her wrist.  The stitches so tiny you could barely see a true seem line.  Small worked details on each finger tip and palm added traction for her grip.  Logan had given them to her when her other gloves finally went to that great used bin in the sky.  The quality of the leather and workmanship told that they were expensive.  No one could ask for better gloves, after all they fit like a second skin.  The irony did not escape Rogue.  Yes a second skin, one she would always have to wear.

            "Rogue," Kitty's tone softened almost as if she heard each thought play out in Rogue's head. "You remember when I first came here?"  Rogue nodded though she did not look up from her hands.  "I phased through everything, almost all the time.  I'm still convinced the only thing that kept me from phasing through to the center of the earth was that I couldn't keep it up for very long.  You used to hold me when I cried, you told me that I would learn, that I could learn how to control it." A hesitant step brought Kitty closer to Rogue.  "Ya know, you holding me like that reminded that I was real, solid, n' you helped me get through it.  I didn't care that it was through gloves that you ruffled my hair n' said 'Ya look reahl enough ta me, Kittycat'.  N' I don't think Remy is gonna care either Rogue."  Her small hand rested on Rogue's shoulder and before the other girl could react, Kitty had her wrapped up in a hug.

            Rogue leaned her head on her friends shoulder with a deep sigh.  Maybe Kitty was right at least in part.   She liked Remy, liked being around him.   Though she still felt nothing beyond friendship could happen, but she wanted a friendship with him.  The problem was he obviously had other ideas. 'Tha's easy enough ta solve.'  She thought as she still leaned against Kitty, grateful for the younger girls support. 'Keep 'im atta distance 'til he comes ta his senses.'

            "Thahnks, Kit," A small be real smile formed on Rogue's face as Kitty released the hug and backed up.

            "No more attempts at calling it off," A mock frown changed into a smile as Rogue nodded with a grin.  "Good now off to the shower with ya woman we have work to do."  Rogue quirked a brow, and actually felt a bit of unease at the younger girl's devious look. 'Oh great wha' is that girl plannin' now?' 

            The shower did much to improve Rogue's disposition as well as soak out some of the remaining soreness in her body.   Normally she was in and out within fifteen minutes, but she took extra care this time.  She washed her hair twice and even snuck some of that raspberry conditioner that Kitty liked so much.  'Not lahke she'll care fo' tonight.'  Rogue smirked.  'Ah think she's mo' excited 'bout this than Ah am.'  LIAR! Screamed that tiny annoying voice inside. 

            She stepped free of the shower only to find that every bit of her make up was gone and there was a note.  No it was more than a note, it was instructions on just what lotion, deodorant, etc to use.   'She left me instructions?!?!  Now this is jus' a lil ridiculous Kitcat.' 

            But that did not even compare to the chaos in her room when she entered, wrapped in towel.  Clothes strewn into possible outfit combinations all over the bed, well over any horizontal surface and even a few vertical ones.  Tabitha, Jean, and Kitty stood in the middle of the wreckage in a heated exchange about what the outfit should 'say' and other things that just made Rogue's head spin.   The noisey chattering grew louder as Tabitha insisted on pink being the main theme with Jean hesitantly and backing her up and Kitty in complete contradiction.

            "Like Tabs she won't LET us put her pink!"

            "She's hurt, we can take her."

            "Well maybe a darker pink, or something purple, we can't let out in signature green Kitty!"  Jean exclaimed, though she shrunk away from Tabby's idea of forcing the pink issue, literally.

            "All right Purple, or maybe something red, but NO PINK!"

            "But…"

            "Tabby NO!"

            "I have to go with Kitty on this one…"

            "JEAN!!!"

            "Excuse mah," Rogue said with a smirk, half leaning against a wall.  All three girls jumped in shock and turned to find Rogue.  "Kitty's raght… no Pink."  Kitty looked smug, Tabitha sulked, and Jean just looked happy that the issue was sort of decided now.

            "Wha' on earth are ya'll doin' anyway?"  The soft slap of her bare feet against the hardwood floor broke the sudden silence as she moved towards the vanity. 

            "Well, we ahhhh decided to help!" Tabitha offered.

            "Long as ya'll help with the clean up too," She grinned and reached for the brush only to have it snatched from her hand, by an indignant Kitty.

            "Sit."

            "Kitty Ah can brush.."

            "SIT!"

            "Okay okay geez." Rogue sat on the small cushioned stool with a simmering patience. This had gone from ridiculous to insane.

            She was promptly turned around by Jean to face the center of the room while Kitty and Tabitha began a strange sort of fashion show.  Behind her Jean started to work on her hair.  Half of the auburn locks piled on top of her head as her peer applied the dryer to the bottom portion, making sure to curl the ends under.  Rogue liked all the outfits they showed her, much to exasperation of Kitty.

            A half hour later, they finally came to a decision:  Rogue's favorite pair of leather pants, black of course, a blue, midriff tank with tiny silver threads woven into the hem lines, a deep red translucent silk mesh shirt with long sleeve of course, and of course black leather boots with silver buckles just below the ankle on the right and left respectively.  Now came the accessory decisions.  Rogue realized now just why Kitty was always late for any date, Tabitha as well.

            After that, Rogue did not get a say in anything as the Jean fussed over her hair, Tabby painted her nails, and Kitty scowled and fussed over Rogue's make-up.  The scowls came each time Rogue laughed over the situation.  After all it was pretty funny.

            They finally allowed Rogue to look in the mirror.  She blinked once, twice, then thrice.  How had they done it?  Rogue knew Jean's hairstyle to be elaborate because of the time spent, but it looked so simple.  Most of her hair hung straight but a few tendrils here and there sported a gentle curl.  The center of each white forelock pulled back in a gentle sweep over her ears to run down either side of her head as the remainders of the pale tresses were curled along the sides of her face.  The outfit worked well for Rogue, not too dressy, and very comfortable.  The small silver pendant that hung at her through and two matching ear cuffs added a bit of style without attracting too much attention.  Even Kitty had pulled through with the make up.  No light, diaphanous colors, no she had kept the signature dark tones Rogue liked, but only in subtle hints and in no way dominated her face.

            The three girls grinned at each other with the stunned look of pleasant surprise on Rogue's face.   Kitty interrupted her carefully study by shoving a box into her hands.  Rogue tilted her head quizzically as she opened the tiny container.   Inside lay gloves of the finest weave ever conceived.  In fact the only reason she saw the pale fabric at all was because of the black tissue paper they nestled in.

            Her mouth formed into a small 'O' as she lifted them free and slid each one on.  Against her usually pale skin the fabric seemed to disappear.  In fact, they were so light Rogue barely felt them all.

            "They cover completely," Jean assured her, "And the material is very strong, almost impossible to tear."

            "Where'd ya'll find these?"

            "Well we had a lil help from Logan, the Professor, and Storm," Kitty admitted.  She could barely container her happiness over the look on Rogue's face.

            "Thank ya… all of ya… fer everythin',' Rogue smiled and embraced each girl with Kitty being the last.

            "OOOooo don't you, like, dare cry Rogue, or we'll have to start allll over again n' you have to leave soon!"  It wasn't Rogue though that needed to wipe her eyes on her sleeve.

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            Rogue stilled the ever-present flutter in heart as she bounded down the grand staircase.  Logan and Storm knew she was leaving and whom she would be meeting. It had never occurred to Rogue to lie to them, nor had it occurred to her to actually have them meet Remy.

            She snatched the keys for the Jeep, her Jeep, off the table next to the garage door.  In the last spot was the real love her life: a refurbished CJ-7.  With the top up, she pulled from the garage and took off down the mansion drive.  The address Remy had given her repeated itself over and over in her head.  Not that she would have forgotten it anyway, but it kept her mind on driving and off the upcoming events of the night. 

            It seemed like an eternity, and only a moment before she saw him.  With his arms crossed, Remy LeBeau leaned against his motorcycle with a slight grin on his face.  He thought the odds about fifty fifty that she would come and not call to break it off at the last minute.  Yet here she was.  He sucked in a soft breath at her appearance when she stepped free of the Jeep.  There wasn't a huge difference in the way she looked.  No the changes were subtle, but no less profound.   The grin changed to a smile as he hung one arm on the door, and greeted her with an appreciative look.

            "Evenin', Cher.  Y' look lovely," A sincere tone to which he received of those elusive smiles as she half leaned against the Jeep cool black exterior.

            "So, where'r we goin'?"  She replied in a quick change of topic.  Though in truth he expected it.   She had never struck him as the time to linger over a compliment.   In fact he wondered if they made her a bit uncomfortable. 'Gonna have t' watch dat.' He reminded himself as he gestured restaurant.  Her eyes widen just a bit before she fixed him with a quizzical look.

            "Blues?"

            "Mmmhmm.  Y' don' like de blues?"  He moved to the close the door.  A shake of her head caused him to sigh.  "De t'ings dey don' teach now a days," Remy gave a mournful sigh as he placed a platonic hand on her back and guided her towards the door.  His own steps shortened to accommodate her smaller stride.

            "Well… Ah can' really say tha' I don' like it… Ah mean Ah only heard it once b'fore."

            "Den yer in fo' a treat, Cher.  Normally, Remy wouldn' look fo' good blues dis far Nort', but dis band's from Louisiana," His eyes flashed in time to the melting grin, and Rogue strove hard to keep her expression neutral.

            "Well, we'll see Ah guess," A smirk answered her comment as he so very politely opened the door for her.   Lively music poured from the interior along with raucous laughter and a din of conversation.   The very air of the place infectious as Rogue found a smile lifting her lips.  The place was crowded, people jostled back and forth as chair scrapped against the worn wooden floor, but the heat and lack of space did not seem to bother any of the patrons.

            "De balcony fo' dinnah," She heard Remy say, though most of her attention remained on the dim room with odd angles and a very pleasant atmosphere.   Again she felt the pressure of Remy's hand on the small of her back, but now it held an air of possessiveness as he gestured for her to follow the Hostess.

            Rogue marveled at the moving crush of people, yet no one ever got stepped on or elbowed and a few small run ins prompted good natured laughter and an offer of a drink.  Remy saw the look of anxiety form as they moved deeper into the crowd.  He stepped behind her and his arms came around in light embrace.   Unconsciously, Rogue moved deeper into the protective circle he formed. 

            Before them a staircase climbed up to a dark hole in the ceiling.  Rogue squinted as she followed the woman up in curiosity.  Once they left the crush of people below Remy allowed his arms to drop with a small inward sigh of reluctance.   At first she did not notice the absence.  Her lips formed a small 'o' as her head rose above the exit onto the rooftop.  Chairs and stables scattered in no particular order over the concrete floor.  Above them a trellis that ran the entirety off roof.  Each wooden beam twined in ivy and white Christmas lights that provided the only illumination. 

            For some reason the music still rang clear up here, but the chattering noise from below could just barely be heard.  A small sigh of relief left her as she noted that about half the available seating was empty.  Remy saw the tension drain from her as her shoulder loosened and rolled back and her steps became more fluid in design.  He knew he'd guessed right.  Her mutation almost dictated that she want a quiet, and sparsely populated spaces.

            The woman showed them a corner table and waited for Remy's approval.  He nodded with his usual charming smile that the woman returned with one that was both appreciative and amused at the same time.  In the fashion of any good Southern gentleman, Remy pulled out a seat for a Rogue.

            "Thanks," She smiled just before she folded with an unconscious grace into the chair.   His hand clenched at his side in the effort to resist just a brief touch against her cheek.  The trench flared around him as he swept it off and hung on the back of the chair he then claimed.

            "It be Remy's pleasure, Cher. "  His tone soft, friendly, but only that and he saw her relax just a bit more.    A silence fell over them as Rogue acclimated herself to the new surroundings.  The warm balmy night was just perfect for such an outdoor setting of soft lights and quiet conversation.  She admitted, though just to herself, that music too was pleasant, even relaxing with its infectious rhythm and often times wry lyrics.   She reclined under the spell.  Her hands folded on the table as her thumbs tapped to the beat from below.

            "Nice place," She conceded.  His grin caught her full attention for a moment.  It was not the expression itself, but how it formed.  A slow upward curve of the right corner of his lips with just a hint of his teeth.  But what caught her attention were the secrets that grin seemed to suggest.   Dangerous and compelling at the same time.

            "T'ought y' might like it," He nodded.  In fact Gambit had been very selective.  This place was cozy, intimate, without a glaring element of romance. This was the kind of place you could take your Mother or your lover without the ambiance ever approaching awkward.  He debated apologizing for the jovial melee before, but she seemed to have forgotten about their trek across the restaurant.  No need to remind her now.  

            "Ya come heah a lot?"  She inquired while glancing over the menu.  A good selection of southern dishes, and not the northern versions of them either.  That was a rarity. 

            "Mhmm.  One o' de betta places around."  She grinned in understanding.

            "Jus' wait til winter sets in.  Tha's when ya really start missin' home," The waitress interrupted long enough to take their orders.  Rogue noted with an arched brow that Remy had asked for a bottle of wine.

            "Aww c'mon, Cher.  Live a little.  Not like one glass gonna set y' on dat nicely shaped rump o' yourn," He drawled with a slight challenging grin.  "N' Y' right.  Remy not be lookin' forward t' winter here."

            "Why these people think snow's all that great is beyond meh," She avoided his comment on purpose. 'Fahne, ya wanna play like that huh?'

            "Cuz de first time freezes der brain.  Dey don' know no betta afta dat," Rogue tried not to laugh and failed.   He admired the way her laughter lit up her eyes even when she calmed herself down the sparkle lingered a few moments longer.

            "Ya might be right," She conceded with a grin.  The conversation continued on much the same.  The topic always light and accompanied by the music below during the occasional lull.   And for both of them, everything else drifted away. No thoughts of the anti-mutant crowds, the X-men, the Acolytes, her power, or his power intruded on the witty comments, wry grin, and infectious laughter. At least not until the food came and both of them found their attention directed to the wonderful smelling feast before them. 

            Remy used to the excuse of food to hide his growing frustrations.  Sure he enjoyed her company, and the night had been pleasant so far.  But… she kept herself out of reach.  When he leaned in, she leaned back.  When his hands landed on the table, hers slid into her lap.   When the conversation steered to something personal, she veered it back to frivolity.  In fact, so good was she that he was not completely certain any of it was on purpose. 'She really dat gun-shy?'  He wondered as he took a sip from the wine glass and took her distraction with the garlic bread to study her over the rim.

            Rogue knew he watched her, but it lacked the intensity of their earlier encounters.  A small inward sigh swelled up. 'Maybe he's already taken the hint.'  But isn't that what she wanted after all? For him to back off and stop forcing her to feel things that she shouldn't? Yeah, but why did she now miss his more charming attentions?

            "C'n Ah ask ya somethin'?"  The plate scrapped a bit over the table as she maneuvered it to the side, nothing but a few scraps of food remaining.

            "Why is it Remy get a bad feelin' wit' dat question?"  The waitress came and with brisk non-intrusive efficiency took their plates.

            "Well?"

            "All right, Cher, shoot."

            "What are ya expectin' from meh?"  Okay, so that was not the question he expected.  'Why did you ask me out?',  'Is this orders from Magneto?",  or any number of other questions, but this one threw him for a bit of a curve.

            "N'utin'…somethin'. Ah don' really know m'self."  It was an honest if incomplete answer.  He knew what he would like to happen, but that was not possible, so he did not technically expect it.

            "Tha's not an anssa n' ya know what I mean," She frowned, arms crossed before her.

            "What? Y' wan' Remy t' tell ya dat he' here on orders? Dat der's some sinister plot t' all o' dis?"  He smirked.  "Cuz Remy don t'ink y'd believe him if he said dat he was here wit' y' because he wanted t' be."  Again technically true.  Magneto had not ordered him to take her out, and well the time honored game between men and woman was not a sinister reason.   She looked at him for a long time.  Those green eyes stole into his own gaze with an intensity that bordered on making him uncomfortable.

            "Lemme see ya real eyes," She all but demanded.  Remy flicked off the image inducer and those sweet brown eyes gave way to the dark red gaze.  She met them without flinching, and only spoke after several long minutes passed. "All rahght.  Ah believe ya.  Ah think yer crazy," She chuckled, "But Ah believe ya."

            Remy almost thought the 'click' he heard was audible.  'Dats one locked door down, who knows how many t'go.'  The thought followed by an inward smirk.

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Sorry for the late update, and as always thanks to all who read and reviewed! In the interest of getting this up pronto, I'm not going through the individual thanks, but they are given and heartfelt none the less.

I can't say I'm 100% satisfied with this chapter, but we'll see right?