Rebel Heart

Chapter 10: Trouble In Paradise

By: Rogue-Slayer13

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of X-Men: Evolution, they belong to their respective creators.

Summary: Set in Louisiana during the Civil War. Marie (Rogue) comes to live on the LeBeau plantation, and quickly develops a sort of bond with Remy (Gambit), but what happens when Remy joins the army?

Note: Sort of like Legends of the Fall (really good movie, everyone should go out and get it), and there are no mutants.

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"I'm so excited!" exclaimed Kitty as she danced around the grounds of the LeBeau home, recieving curious looks from Marie and Jean.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think Kitty was the one getting married," commented Jean as the three girls continued on their walk.

"Ah know," replied Marie. "She's got all the boys scared to death of being around here while we're planning this wedding."

"What do you mean?" Jean turned her attention away from Kitty and toward Marie.

"Last week she made Emil and Etienne model bouquets for us," informed Marie. "Now every time she comes by for a visit, they run for the swamp."

Jean couldn't help but laugh at this.

"What's so funny?" asked Kitty as she calmed down a bit and came to walk along side her two friends.

"Oh nothing," replied Jean as she sobered up.

Kitty eyed her for a moment, but then something near the house caught her attention.

"Remy!"

Marie and Jean turned to see Remy walking toward them from the house.

"Oui?" asked Remy cautiously, fear evident in his eyes.

"Where have you been all day?" asked Kitty.

"Ah've been helping Tante get de gumbo ready for dinner," replied Remy.

"Do you mind giving us a hand for a while?"

The young Cajun glanced from Kitty to Marie and Jean who were avoiding making eye contact with him and back to Kitty who was giving him a pleading look.

"Dis doesn't have anyt'ing to do wit' fluers does it?" asked Remy with a sigh.

"Why would you think that?" Kitty gave Remy a quizzical look.

"No reason," replied Remy.

Kitty smiled and grabbed Remy by the arm, forcing him to join the girls on their walk.

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Jean-Luc was sitting at his desk in the study when he heard what sounded like a carriage pulling up in front of the house. Jean-Luc got to his feet and looked out the window to see Pietro Maximoff and Eric Lensherr getting out of their carriage.

Dis can't be good. Thought Jean-Luc as he went to greet his visitors in the foyer.

"Jean-Luc, just the man I was hoping to see," said Eric as Ororo shut the front door behind him and Pietro.

"Eric, Pietro," greeted Jean-Luc with a nod of his head. "What can Ah do for y'?"

"Why don't we move this conversation into more private quarters?" suggested Eric as he motioned toward the study.

"Of course." Jean-Luc lead the two men into the study and shut the door behind them. "Now, what is it y' wanted to discuss?" asked Jean-Luc, already guessing what the topic was.

Eric took a seat across from Jean-Luc and gestured for Pietro to sit down as well.

"Pietro informs me that you turned down his request for Marie's hand in marriage. I assure you, if you let a marriage between Pietro and Marie take place, it would be most beneficial to both families," said Eric. "Money isn't a problem if that's what you're concerned about."

"Ah don't care about money or anyt'ing else y' have to offer," explained Jean-Luc. "De reason Pietro can't marry Marie is de same as it was de last time he asked. Marie is engaged to Remy, and Ah'm not about to stop dem from gettin' married."

"Surely, you can persuade your son to set his sights on someone else," said Eric.

"Remy and Marie love each other," said Jean-Luc. "Why would y' want to stand in de way o' dat?"

"I hardly believe that Marie is old enough to understand the meaning of love," said Eric. "If anything, I believe she's become smitten with a romanticized idea of war and soldiers. It's hardly something I'd consider love."

Jean-Luc's eyes narrowed slightly at this and he got to his feet.

"Whether Remy and Marie get married or not, Ah'm not gonna have any part in breakin' de two o' dem apart," said Jean-Luc. "Now, if you'll excuse me gentlemen, Ah have t'ings to do."

Eric took the hint and he and Pietro left the study.

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"That could've gone better," commented Pietro sarcastically once he and his father were well away from the LeBeau home.

"Shut up, Pietro," replied Eric, annoyance evident in his voice. "I'm only interfering with this wedding because you seem to be infatuated with that girl for reasons only you know."

"I told you already," explained Pietro. "Marie is a rogue. She's considered untouchable. Any man that can get her will automatically gain the respect of his peers."

"And what happens if she truly does love this LeBeau boy and winds up running off with him?" asked Eric. "Then you'll look like a fool."

"Then we just need to get LeBeau out of the picture, is all."

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"Dat was cruel, chere," commented Remy later that afternoon after Kitty and Jean had left.

"Whatever do you mean?" asked Marie innocently.

"Making me spend all morning wit' Kitty and her plans for our weddin'." Remy sat down next to Marie on the porch of the LeBeau home.

"Why should Ah be the only one who has to suffer?"

Remy thought about it for a second before nodding in agreement. "Ah guess dat you're right."

"Besides, it could've been worse."

"How so?" asked Remy.

"She made Emil and Etienne model bouquets all afternoon."

"Ah guess Ah should consider myself lucky den."

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Remy walked out of Xavier's store in New Orleans which was located at the end of a small alley that connected to Bourbon street. He'd been doing some errands for his father and he was almost to his horse when a voice stopped him.

"LeBeau."

"What do y' want, Pietro?" asked Remy as he turned around to see Pietro standing behind him with Lance Alvers and Fred Dukes..

"You to call off your engagement to Marie."

"Why would I do dat?"

"We both know Marie could do a lot better then the likes of you."

"Who'd y' have in mind?" Remy's eyes narrowed in anger. "Someone like y', perhaps?"

"Well, yes actually," replied Pietro smugly. "After all, she could use a real man." Pietro grinned lecherously.

"Y' better keep your hands off her!" demanded Remy.

"It's not my hands you should be worried about," replied Pietro with a smirk.

Remy's anger got the better of him and lunged at Pietro before Lance or Fred could stop him. He swung a hard right hook and hit Pietro square in the jaw, sending him stumbling back into Lance. Fred grabbed a hold of both of Remy's arms, but not before he landed another punch to Pietro's face. Once Fred had Remy thoroughly under control, Pietro came over and punched Remy in the stomach, effectively knocking the air out of him. Fred let him go and he slumped to the ground, trying to catch his breath. While he was doubled over on his side, Pietro dealt him a fierce kick that connected with the side of his face.

"Unless you want this to happen again, I suggest you call off the engagement," advised Pietro as he and the other two walked out of the alley and disappeared down Bourbon street.

Remy lay on the ground a few moments more, before slowly getting to his feet. Pietro's sucker punch had left him winded and the kick to the head was making it harder and harder for Remy to concentrate. He slowly got on his horse and rode home.

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To Be Continued . . .

I am so sorry that it's taken this long to get this chapter up. I could've made it longer, but you guys really deserve an update. Hopefully the next one won't take so long.

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