Chapter 9

A Date to Remember

A/N: It was brought to my attention that I had switched tenses. It was unintentional. I will try to keep it more concise. :)

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. Rogue wakes up, stretches and yawns. Then she remembers. She has a date tonight, but not just any date. This one is with the most desired man in the mansion, heck probably the town! She tosses the covers off and steps into the shower. After that is finished and she is dressed for the day, she goes down to breakfast. Every eye in the room is on her.

"What're y'all lookin' at?" she demands.

"Oh, word has just gotten around that you have a date with our resident Cajun charmer." Sage replies.

"Is there nothing that is kept quiet around here?"

"You know the answer to that question, Rogue." Angel says, smiling. "So, what are you going to wear?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"Oooh, like shopping trip time!" exclaims Kitty.

"No! Uh, I mean... I'm sure I'll be able to find something to wear. I just haven't looked through my closet yet." Rogue covers quickly. She doesn't want to go on a shopping trip with Kitty just yet. She doesn't want to be too tired for her date.

Angel thinks for a moment. "I think I know just the thing! You've never worn it and I know that it would look great on you."

Logan walks in. "Stripes, a word."

"Yeah Logan, what's up."

"I don't like the idea of you out with Gumbo."

"Logan, I'm old enough to make my own decisions. You just have to trust me. You do, don't you? Anyway, I'm tired of always being alone while everyone around me gets to have fun! When do I get my turn?" She turns and angrily stalks up the stairs. In her room, she finds Kurt sitting in her desk chair.

"Don't tell me you're here to try to stop me too. It ain't gonna work! I'm goin'."

"Nein, I just wanted to tell you to be careful. Zat's all."

She visibly calms at this. "So Kurt, when are you gonna ask Angel out? The two of you have been giving each other eyes for some time now. I think you two would be good together."

Kurt turns purple in the face from blushing. "Uhhh...I don't know. Vhat if she doesn't ?"

Rogue knows otherwise. "Kurt, you aren't gonna know unless you ask. I'm gonna figure out what I'm wearing, so you'll have to go now." She smiles at him as he 'ports out.

Angel comes up and they decide on just the right outfit, then they sit and talk until it's time for her to begin getting ready.

5 o' clock rolls around and Gambit knocks on Rogue's door. She answers and he is stunned for a few seconds. She looks amazing in an emerald dress, bias cut with a fitted bodice and spaghetti straps. Opera-length gloves of the same shade and strappy black sandals complete the look. Her hair is in soft waves around her shoulders.

"You are beautiful." he says softly.

"You clean up pretty good yourself." she replies with a soft smile.

He is dressed in black slacks with a red silk shirt and black blazer. She is mesmerized by his scent and she looks into his eyes. He has been fitted with an image inducer that changes his eye color to a deep, rich brown. He looks great, but she thinks he looks even better with the red eyes.

"Shall we, cherie?" he offers her his arm.

They descend the stairs. Waiting downstairs is everyone waiting to see the good looking couple.

"Don't these people have lives of their own?" Rogue comments, giving them a strange look.

"They just enjoy seeing you dressed up, is all." he murmurs in her ear. A small shiver slides down her spine.

They pull up to the restaurant and she is surprised to see that it is rather upscale. He comes around and opens the car door for her, handing the keys to the valet. They walk arm in arm inside. She is dazzled by the décor and they are shown to their table. He pulls out her chair and seats her. They order and they talk.

"So how long have you been at the Institute, Rogue?"

"Around 3 years now. What made you decide to come here?

"I needed a little help with my powers. That was why I came at first, then I met you." he smiles.

"Whoa, Cajun. We just met a couple of days ago. Cool it a bit, will ya?" she replies, even though there's that nagging sense of familiarity again. She just can't put her finger on it, but it feels like she's known him before. Pushing the feeling aside, she looks at him once again.

"Sorry, I can't help myself. There's just some kind of a connection between us. I can feel it. Can't you?" he looks into her eyes and finds what he's been wanting to see reflected back, along with confusion and a little fear.

But she says hesitantly,"Uh, I don't know what you're talking about. I-I mean....I like you, but you're scaring me. Like I said, we just met! How do you know you will feel this way at a later time? What if you get tired of me?"

He takes her hand. "Shhh, cherie. Don't worry 'bout me getting tired of you. I never could. You have fire and spirit. I could never tire of that. It's true we just met, but I feel like I've known you forever! If you want to slow things down, that's fine. I'm willing to wait for you."

"I-I don't know...." she hesitates.

"It's okay. All I ask is that you think about it. You know where I'll be."

"Okay, I'll give it some thought. I've never had a guy who was interested in seeing me more than once."

He felt the hurt coming off of her at that statement.

"You probably haven't met the right one yet, cherie."

"Yeah, maybe. But when you have a mutation like mine, it's hard to get close to people."

"Hard, but not impossible hon. I believe you can do it. I'll be right by your side the whole way. Even if it is just as your friend."

She is overwhelmed, to say the least. She has met the first guy who actually wants to keep on seeing her!

They ride home in silence, but it is a pleasant one. Both are lost in thought. They park in the garage and he walks her inside. He stops, takes her hand and kisses it. She blushes, softly says good night and goes upstairs.

Please tell me what you think. Review!

Clarification: He senses the feeling of familiarity coming off of her when he looks in her eyes.