Chapter 9: Double Date

"... Have another fitting and - Good morning Rogue!" Kitty called.

"Hey," Rogue replied, joining them at the table.

"Heard about last night," Jubilee said gleefully. "Did Logan really catch you and Remy pashing?"

Rogue ducked her head.

"Yeah," she said. "It was amazing."

Naturally, the girls wanted all the gory details. Storm joined them just in time to hear the words "kissing date".

"Kissing date?" she repeated.

Rogue nodded and explained how it worked. Storm shook her head.

"Trust Remy to think of something like that."

"Yeah, well, it was fun. Ah liked it, and Ah would do it again," Rogue replied pointedly.

"Of course. Rogue, I was thinking; how would you and Remy like to go on a double date with myself and Logan?"

"What? You think we need a chaperone now?"

"Actually I think Remy and Logan are the ones who need a chaperone."

Rogue giggled.

"You know, Ah have ta say Ah agree with you. It was funny teasing Logan in the beginning, but now it's just gotten way out of hand. Ah hate being caught in the middle like this."

"Exactly. So I think it's well past time we cleared the air between them."

"Okay, well, Ah'll call Remy and let him know what we've decided then. We were just going to go out ta dinner and dancing."

"You're going dancing?" Tracy asked. "I thought you didn't like dancing."

"No, Ah do, Ah'm just not very good at it. Mostly because until recently no one ever bothered asking me to."

"You have Remy's phone number?" Storm asked curiously.

"Yep."

"How long have you had that?"

"Since we went go-karting. Why?"

"Oh, nothing it's just... Remy's usually very picky about who he gives his number out to."

Rogue stepped out of the change room with a look on her face that clearly said "I can't believe I'm wearing pink".

"Aww see, you look pretty," Kitty said happily.

"It's pink."

"Really? I hadn't noticed. You look great."

"Well, it's your weddin' Kitty. As long as you think so."

"I do."

"Come stand over here, Rogue," said Storm. "I think we may need to take the hem up a bit."

Rogue did as she was bid and abruptly stopped short, seeing herself in the mirror.

"Rogue?" Kitty asked.

Rogue blinked.

"Nothing," she said. "It's nothing."

She stepped onto the platform while Storm and Kitty went to work.

"This is gonna look weird," Tracy said. "Rogue's gonna be the only one of us wearing gloves."

"Well, I could make you and Jubes wear gloves too," Kitty replied.

"I'll pass."

Rogue rolled her eyes.

"She's the maid of honour," Storm said. "It's okay if she looks a bit different. Turn around please, dear."

Rogue turned around. As she did, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror once again, but this time so she could see the back of the dress. She didn't know if she was happy or relieved. Rogue had practically memorised the dress she was wearing in Irene's picture, but of course, she could only see the back of it. The back of this bridesmaids gown was close, certainly it was the same shade, or close enough to make no difference, but the style was different.

Slowly she turned her head back to the front and rejoined the conversation. Whenever that vision of Irene's was going to happen, it wasn't going to be at Kitty's wedding. Although, the idea of having to wear another pink dress on another occasion kind of irritated her.

Rogue picked at her plate of food which was quickly becoming empty. This entire evening had been awkward. She and Storm had attempted to keep conversation flowing and comfortable. Gambit was even amenable, but he and Logan could not seem to get along. Gambit, in his usual manner, would flirt with Rogue. Logan would tell him off. Storm would tell Logan off. And Rogue would go back to feeling uncomfortable.

This whole double date idea was turning out to be a complete dud.

Finally she snapped:

"Can't you two at least try to get along? Ah know you two used ta be friends. Hell, ya used ta go drinkin' together and stuff. This whole thing is stupid."

"Desole, Roguey," Gambit said softly, reaching for her hand under the table.

"Somehow I find it hard to imagine you two going out drinking together," Storm said. "But then, I suppose, until the auction I never saw you two in the same room."

"Sure we did. Logan plays a mean game o' pool too."

"I've noticed."

"Heh," Logan smirked. "Remember that time we doubled against those Italian brothers?"

Gambit chuckled.

"Oui! Dat was a good night. Got a Lamborghini out o' dat."

"And remember the girls we shared it with? Very sweet."

"Dey were indeed. Ahh, I still remember the expressions on their faces."

"The girls?"

"Non, the brothers. Dey were so..." Gambit paused, cocked an eyebrow at Logan and smirked. "Dey were so furious. Now, the filles, on the other hand, dey had no reason t' get mad."

"Yeah, we showed them a good time. Almost as good a time as you showed that nun," Logan replied, then glanced at Rogue. "There you go, Rogue, you're dating the only man I've ever met who can convince a hooker to sleep with him for nothing, and charm the pants off a nun."

Gambit gave Logan a dark look. Storm sighed. Rogue just shrugged.

"That must be saying something," she said. "Ah mean, you were born when dinosaurs still roamed the earth. Did you have one for a pet? I could see you with a tyrannosaurus rex."

"I'm not that old," Logan said.

"Reeeaallly... when were you born then? Or was it so long ago you don't remember?"

"So funny."

"Ah thought so."

"So, chere, how'd yo' like t' dance?" Gambit asked.

"Sure."

He took Rogue's hand and led her out onto the dance floor. Once they got comfortable, Gambit holding her in close for the slow song, the conversation resumed.

"Sorry about dat, cherie."

"About what?"

"Y'know. Logan. I hope dat my history's not upsetting yo'."

"Nah. Ah mean, he and Storm both made it clear ta me that you're a player."

"I noticed dat."

"It's not like we're serious or anything. Then it would be awkward," Rogue went on. "But Ah mean, Ah bought ya at that auction ta be muh date, not muh boyfriend. So... yeah."

Gambit felt like he'd just been stabbed in the gut.

"It's not like we're serious." she had said.

"Yeah," he murmured.

"Logan... must you?" Storm asked. "We're trying to make the peace here, not further hostilities."

"I've seen him go through too many women, 'Ro."

"Right, like I haven't seen him at work."

"That's not the point. Rogue's a complete novice at this stuff. Gumbo's a, well, a pro."

"I'm well aware that he's turned seduction into an art form."

"Personal experience?"

"Logan."

"You get what I'm saying though, right?"

Storm sighed and glanced out at the dance floor.

"To be honest I'm beginning to wonder if we've been worried about the wrong person."

Back at the table, Rogue finished off her drink.

"Okay, umm, be right back," she said.

She stood and made her way to the ladies room.

"Remy?" Storm asked. "Are you okay?"

For a moment, Gambit was silent. His elbows were on the table and he rested his chin in his hands.

"I want permission t' continue dating your daughter."

Storm stared and Logan choked on his own saliva.

"She... I... Rogue isn't our daughter," Storm stammered in her surprise.

"She may as well be," Gambit said, his voice bitter. "She listens t' yo'. I know she respects yo' and she values your opinions, despite any arguing dat might have been going on lately. Fact is I'm serious about her, and I'm not going t' be able t' convince her o' dat, if I can't convince yo'."

"Since when have you ever been serious about any woman, Gumbo?" Logan scorned.

"Since when have I ever bothered t' ask permission t' date someone?" Gambit snapped back.

"Ha, I'm not falling into that trap. We tell Rogue you're okay, you find a way to get around her mutation and sleep with her, run off, and then it's our fault because we said it was okay. Don't think I don't know how your mind works."

"You don't know anyt'ing homme. Yo' don't know a damned t'ing."

"Logan. Remy," Storm cut in. "Just... just how serious are you, Remy?"

Gambit sighed and looked down at the table.

"While she was in Spain I had a one night stand -"

"Typical," Logan snorted.

"- I felt guilty about it. And not just... not just because o' any o' the usual reasons yo' regret a one night stand. I actually felt guilty, like 'just cheated on my girlfriend' guilty. I mean, how ridiculous is that?" Gambit demanded. "We're not... she's not..."

"Rogue has no idea how you feel about her, does she?" Storm asked quietly.

"Not a clue," he sighed dejectedly. "After all, I'm her date, not her boyfriend."

Storm reached across the table and took Gambit's hand. He looked up and caught her eyes.

"I really am serious, Ororo," he said. "She's all I can t'ink about."

"I can tell," she replied. "For once you didn't call me 'Stormy'."

Gambit managed a slight smile.

"You're serious?" Logan asked dubiously.

"Shocking concept, isn't it, mon ami?"

"I don't know that I believe you."

"I thought yo' could smell liars."

"You believe your own lies."

"That's what makes me such a good une."

"She's on her way back," Storm cut in. "Logan, ask me to dance."

"I hate dancing."

"Logan."

"Fine," Logan said as Rogue sat back down at the table. "'Ro, would you like to dance?"

"I'd love to."

Rogue grinned as Logan and Storm headed out to the dance floor. Unable to help himself, Gambit leaned into Rogue.

"Whipped."

Rogue giggled.

"So, you believe him, darlin'?"

"Yes I do. I've started to wonder about Remy's feelings for awhile now. He rarely gives out flowers for one thing. And did you know Rogue has his phone number?"

"She does?"

"I was surprised too. But she's had it since before she left for Spain."

"Hmm, I'm not entirely convinced he's not playing her, 'Ro - and us too for that matter. He is a damned good con artist."

"He is at that."

"Be nice if we could test his resolve. Find out how serious he really is."

A smile lit up Storm's face.

"That's a great idea," she said. "In fact, let's offer him a place with the X-men."

"The X-men? He'd never join. He'd have to give up his thieving."

There was silence for a moment while this comment registered. Then both started chuckling wickedly.

"I could use a new combat teaching assistant," Logan smirked.

"And it might be good if we could offer a proper language class, instead of having to do that by correspondence," Storm added.

"Have them both nice and close where we can keep an eye on them."

"We'd certainly learn about it quick smart if he was hooking up with anyone else."

"Wouldn't be able to take her home for that home-cooked Cajun dinner."

"Well, he could, but we'd all know about it. And he'd probably have to cook extra for the rest of us."

"I like this plan."

"So do I."

"And your chocolate sundae," said the waitress.

"Thank you," Rogue replied.

She dug her spoon into the ice cream as the waitress departed. Gambit regarded her with a smile.

"What?" she asked when she caught him looking.

"Just admiring the view."

"Yeah, it is a pretty good looking sundae, isn't it?"

"I wonder how well a chocolate sundae flavoured kiss would turn out?"

"Somehow Ah don't think ice cream is gonna work as well as after dinner mints."

"Want t' find out?"

"Maybe some other time."

"Hmm, oui we should probably have some after dinner mints on hand, just t' compare."

Rogue snickered.

"Get some other flavours too," he added thoughtfully and looked up. "Ahh, Logan and Stormy are on their way back. I wonder how sore Stormy's feet are?"

Rogue grinned as Logan and Storm approached. Gambit eyed them both with suspicion: they looked very much like two cats who had eaten a whole aviary full of canaries.

"That looks nice," Storm said to Rogue.

"It is nice," Rogue replied.

"Oh, by the way Remy," Storm went on. "Logan and I were talking and we decided that we'd love for you to join the X-men."

"If you're still interested," Logan added, his eyes flicking towards Rogue.

Gambit didn't miss their point: "You want our support to date Rogue, you play by our rules."

"Of course, mes amis," he replied grandly.

"Ah didn't know ya wanted ta join the X-men," Rogue said, regarding him in surprise.

"Been t'inking about it fo' some time actually chere," Gambit answered smoothly. "Actually it was yo' who decided t'ings fo' moi."

"That and the fact that he's decided to retire from stealing," Storm went on. "That was no small decision to make. After all, you've been a thief since you were a kid."

"Well, den it was survival."

"I think it's good that you've decided to turn over a new leaf," Storm nodded, then turned to Rogue. "Remy's going to take on a French class and be Logan's new teaching assistant."

Gambit's eyes flickered towards Logan, who was smirking at him.

"And not me?" Rogue asked, batting her eyelids at Logan. "Ah'm hurt."

"You're good, I'll grant you that, darlin'," Logan grinned at her. "But I'd wager Gambit can beat you in a fight any day. Well, assuming old age hasn't caught up with him."

"I'd be more worried about age catching up with you, old man," Gambit retorted. "What did yo' name dat pet T-rex of yours?"

"Cuddles," Logan deadpanned.

"Besides," Storm said dangerously. "If Remy's 'old' so am I."

Rogue giggled.

"Oh you know what this means?" she said, grinning at Gambit. "You'll get ta see me in muh uniform after all."

Logan scowled at that thought but Gambit and Storm's faces lit up - for two different reasons.

"Yes, that's right," Storm mused. "We'll have to get you a uniform too."

Gambit sat stock still, his face frozen in shock while Logan started chuckling.

"Yeah," Logan grinned. "A sleek, black leather uniform, just for you."

"A uniform. Moi?"

"Ah'm sure you'll look very sexy," Rogue nodded.

"Any time you want to back out, Remy," Logan smirked at him.

"Now why would I want t' do a t'ing like dat?" Gambit asked in reply.

"And everything went rather smoothly after that," Rogue said cheerfully. "Ah guess Storm must have finally managed ta beat 'be nice' inta Logan. Or Logan is looking forward to working with him."

"Ahh yes... we all know how Logan loves torturing people in the danger room," Jubilee nodded. "That's probably it."

"Favourite hobby indeed," Kitty mused. "So, he's moving in, huh?"

"Yeah, he's moving in," Rogue nodded.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, Ah'm fine, it's just... It's just weird, is all. Ah mean, Ah have been datin' him for weeks now and it's Ah dunno, almost like having muh boyfriend move in with me. Except he's not muh boyfriend and lots of people live here..." Rogue shrugged helplessly. "Ah don't know why it bothers me. Ah mean, Bobby and Ah were livin' together before we started datin'."

"The wonders of boarding school," Tracy giggled.

"You're not drinking already, are you Tracy?" Jubilee asked. "Sheesh girl, it's barely after three."

"So?"

"One of these days we're going to have to have an intervention for you."

"Yeah, you're an alcoholic, Tracy," Kitty nodded.

"Two words: Alcohol poisoning," Rogue added.

"Whatever," Tracy dismissed. "So Remy's moving in? That's great. We need more eye candy around here. Fresh meat and all that. You never show him off enough, Rogue."

"He's not mine ta show off."

"I want him to say dirty things to me."

"Well, that won't be hard - umm, difficult. He's always got something dirty to say. Ah've had ta start watching muh mouth around him."

"Like exchanging 'hard' for 'difficult'?" Jubilee smirked.

"Ah swear it's his favourite joke," Rogue muttered.

"Hmm, I'll just file that away for future reference," Tracy mused.

"Storm's going to have to break him of that, you realise," Kitty pointed out. "Remember when Sam went around asking what a blow job was?"

"Oh is that who it was?" asked Rogue.

"Yep. Storm was furious. She totally blamed Remy - y'know, because of the dirty messages on the answering machine. Except it wasn't Remy. Sam heard it from Bobby and boy, did he cop it for that one."

"Extra early morning danger room sessions for a week," Jubilee nodded. "Level seven."

"Psh, seven's nothing," Rogue winked.

"How on earth you manage level eight I will never know."

"It's because Ah'm awesome. And Logan's a slave driver."

"Ha! Got that right."

"Remy must be really good if Logan wants him for an assistant," Kitty mused.

"Either that, or he just wants him for a punching bag," Tracy giggled.

"Logan seems ta think he's good," Rogue said. "Ah guess he'd know. They've drunk together, cruised for chicks together, kicked butt together."

"Kicked each others butt," Jubilee joked.

"Man, Ah hope that Remy moving in means that Ah'm not gonna have ta put up with Logan being protective any more. Ah mean, Ah like Remy. And it was nice of him ta take me out for more than the one date. Ah still have no idea why but Ah do get that he's a player. It's not like Logan and Storm haven't told me a zillion times what he's like with women," Rogue said. "Ah guess Ah'm probably a novelty for him or something."

"Rogue... do you like him?" Kitty asked, a silly grin on her face.

Rogue ducked her head.

"Well, Ah... yeah... Maybe a little. But y'know, it's probably just how he is. Storm did say he could have any woman he wants. And according to Logan he can charm the pants off a nun."

"Seriously?" Jubilee said.

"He didn't deny it."

"Ha! If I was a nun I'd break my vows to sleep with him," Tracy declared.

"Tracy, you could never become a nun in the first place," Kitty pointed out. "Nuns are not alcoholics."

"I am not an alcoholic."

"Sure you aren't."