Disclaimer: X-Men: Evolution doesn't belong to me.

Chapter Eleven – Trapped

September 1996

Several days later, Amara opened her eyes, coming round with a groan. She was lying on cold, damp stone and she shivered, trying to work out where she was and how she got there. After she and the other New Recruits had begun running, it was all a blur. She supposed that the authorities must have managed to catch her, but that didn't quite make sense; something wasn't quite right.

Peering around, she realised that the room was almost pitch black; automatically, she tried summoning a ball of flame to her hand to give her some light.

Nothing happened.

Before she had time to panic, there was a noise outside the door and she promptly slumped back to the ground, pretending to be unconscious. Maybe this way I can figure out what's going on.

The door opened and light fell across her; she fought to keep her face impassive, even when her presence was greeted by a gasp.

"Amara!"

Shit. I know that voice.

"What did you do to her, you…?"

"Now, Pyro, no need to worry." Another voice cut him off. "The girl is simply unconscious."

Footsteps neared her and a gentle hand brushed the hair away from her face. Amara tried to think of some way to let John know she was conscious, but nothing came to mind.

"If she's hurt…"

"You are hardly in a position to complain." The other voice finished. "You are my Acolyte, Pyro; that means that I say jump, you say…"

"How high, Boss?" John answered sullenly.

"Good."

That's Magneto. Amara's mind told her. This is not good.

"I'm wit' Johnny on this." Yet another voice – this one heavily accented – spoke up, not as close this time. "I don't t'ink it's fair, kidnapping an innocent girl."

"Our guests are going to help us stop this witch-hunt." Magneto told him.

"First of all, guests?" The new voice asked. "Second, it's your fault this witch-hunt's happenin' in the first place."

"Yes, guests." Magneto confirmed. "And you forget your own place, Gambit. Tomorrow morning, the state of New York will be plunged into a power-cut and by the time it has lifted, America will be too busy focusing on the war brewing to worry about us."

"I thought you said that machine was too risky." John said, his hand moving to take Amara's. Taking a chance, she squeezed lightly, feeling him stiffen slightly beside her. "You said that you were the only person who could power it and that it would kill you, so you weren't going to use it."

"Rogue…" Gambit whispered from the doorway.

"Exactly." Magneto agreed.

"What war?" John asked now. "I haven't heard anything about a war."

"That's because there isn't one." Magneto told him. "Yet. But you know who this young girl is, don't you? I doubt her parents would be very happy if something were to happen to her."

He knows. Amara realised, horror coursing through her. But he doesn't. Nova Roma doesn't have any sort of army for war; it's too small. Mother and Father wouldn't have any choice but to just accept it!

"That's murder." Gambit stated, his voice sharper and clearer now.

"How did you know?" John whispered, his hand tightening around Amara's. "I never…"

"Your mental shields are pathetically weak." Magneto interrupted. "I simply had Mastermind lift the information out of your head."

"You bastard!" John's presence left her side.

"I'm not standin' for this!" Gambit stated as more footsteps fell nearer. "You can take your job and shove it!"

What happened next, Amara wasn't sure; there was a loud scuffle, a lot of shouting and several gusts of wind.

Then there was silence.

"What now, Father?"

Pietro?! Amara's mind screamed. I don't know why I'm surprised but … I thought he was better than this! A jerk, yeah, but evil?

"Fetch the power inhibitor I fashioned for Gambit." Magneto answered. "Sabretooth, take him to the other girl's cell."

"Should I fetch Pyro's as well?" Pietro asked.

"No. As long as he has no way of accessing flame, he won't need one."

Yet another voice spoke, this one touched by a different accent. "I feel…"

Magneto cut him off coldly. "Need I remind you, Colossus, that your situation is much more precarious than theirs? You know what is at stake."

"Yes, sir."

"And what about Pyro, Father?"

"Leave him here." Magneto ordered. "Come. We have work to do."

Amara heard the door close firmly behind them and opened her eyes. The light had once again diminished, leaving them in darkness. "John?"

"Amara, are you alright? Did he hurt you? I swear I knew nothing about this."

"I know." Amara soothed, her eyes finally becoming accustomed to the dim light. "I'm fine." Now she could see his face, pale and scared-looking. "Are you alright?"

"Not really." John muttered. "I have a strong and crippling fear of darkness."

Amara felt a pang of sympathy. "I guess it's related to your powers." She reached out and took his hand again, feeling it shaking within hers. She decided to change the subject and try to take his mind off their surroundings. "Speaking of powers, why can't I use mine?"

"A power inhibitor." John answered and, for the first time, Amara noticed the strange metal bracelet around her arm.

"Magneto's managed to create these?" She examined it. "Oh, that's not good."

"He hasn't got many." John hastened to assure her. "They have to be very specific. He can't make one for Rogue, for example."

"Why not?" Amara asked curiously.

"Because it's impossible to predict what psyches are in her head and reachable." John responded, sounding as though he were quoting someone.

The beginnings of an idea flickered in Amara's head. "So this inhibitor was made to stop my powers … and did he get my powers from your head as well?"

"I guess so." John answered hesitantly. "I'd have noticed Mastermind coming this way and he'd expect you to tell me everything once you trusted me."

Amara smirked to herself, but bided her time. "John, I need to ask you something and I want you to be completely and totally honest with me. Did you mean what you wrote?"

For a second, John faltered. Then, slowly, he reached out and brushed her hair out of her face. "Amara, I have never meant anything more in my entire life. When I'm not with you, I don't feel…I don't feel right. Like part of me is missing. You complete me, love." Releasing her hand, he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, gently pressing his lips to hers.

In all the time they had spent together, he had never kissed her, except for a quick peck goodnight.

But this was nothing like that. His lips moved over hers, sending a shot of raw emotion shuddering through her, and he gently coaxed her mouth open. His tongue darted against hers, inviting her in to a playful dance.

Finally, the need for air became too great and she reluctantly broke the kiss, leaning back in his arms. "I love you."

John smiled at her and pulled her into a hug, resting his chin atop her head. "I'm so sorry this has to end like this."

Amara smirked. "Who says it has to?"

"Amara, we're trapped." John reminded her, relaxing his hold just enough to look down into her eyes. "Unless you've got a lighter somewhere on you…"

"John, I'm a human lighter, remember?" Amara teased.

"You've got a power inhibitor." John sighed.

"And, if I'm right, it won't work properly." Amara told him, her smirk growing a little bigger. "I didn't tell you everything about my powers."

"You…You didn't?" John asked.

"Nope." Amara shook her head. "I figured I was better safe than sorry."

John's face broke into a grin and he kissed her quickly. "Amara, you're amazing!"

"Hang on!" Amara laughed, a faint blush tingeing her face. "I don't know if it's going to work yet." She moved out of his embrace and stood up. "You'd better move back a bit; I don't know how this is going to pan out."

"Right." John got to his feet as well and took a few steps backwards.

Closing her eyes, Amara took a few deep breaths, forcing her mind to stay blank. Come on, Magma; you only did this the other day.

Suddenly, the blackness dissolved into red and orange flames, flickering behind her eyelids. The bracelet on her wrist cracked and sparked before shorting out completely and fire erupted from her hands, engulfing her completely.

Relief flooded her, as she opened her eyes to see John gaping at her in pure astonishment; she smiled coyly. "Well?"

"Wow." John stated hoarsely. "I mean…I always knew you were beautiful, but…"

Amara would have blushed if she'd been able to. "Does that have anything to do with you being a complete pyromaniac?"

"Probably." John answered honestly, still gazing at her. "But it has more to do with the fact that I'm completely crazy about you."

Amara formed a ball of fire and tossed it towards him. "Think fast."

John held up a hand and it halted in front of him. "What's the plan?"

"Who needs a plan?" Amara grinned at him. "But I promised myself that I'd never use any fire puns, so it's all yours."

The fireball expanded, spreading around them, leaving them surrounded by a raging ring of fire. John embraced her, ignoring the searing heat. "I think it's time we teach Magsy that he can't play with fire without getting burned."

On the other side of Magneto's base, Rogue sat across from Remy, hugging her knees to her chest.

Unlike her team-mate, she had known immediately what had happened when she woke up, remembering metal tentacles pulling her into an orb filled with knock-out gas.

She had barely stirred when the door flew open and an unconscious Gambit was thrown in, landing heavily a few feet away from him.

Still drowsy, Rogue had looked up to see Sabretooth stalk away, leaving Pietro standing in the open doorway.

For a second, remorse and pain had crossed his face, but then it had gone, replaced by an emotionless façade and the door had slammed shut again.

Giving up on trying to figure out her former-team-mate and one-time friend, Rogue had crawled over to Gambit to see if he was okay.

It was then she had noticed that her gloves had vanished and the sleeves of her uniform had torn so her lower arms were bare. She had resorted to nudging his covered shoulder to rouse him and he had soon come around.

After making sure she was unharmed, he had explained Magneto's plan and the subsequent danger it held for her and Amara.

Now they were sat in silence. Though her gaze was averted, staring at the wall, Rogue could tell he was watching her closely.

Finally, he spoke. "Y' seem very calm for someone who's about t' die."

Rogue glanced at him and managed a small smile. "Worrying about what's going to happen takes a lot of energy, Gambit. Besides, you said this machine's never been used; there's a chance I'll survive. And even if I don't, at least I won't have to deal with all the shit that follows."

"D'accord." Remy nodded absently.

"I'm more worried about Amara." Rogue admitted, her smile vanishing.

"Magsy left Johnny in there wit' her." Remy told her. "He'll find a way t' save her even if it kills him."

"Well, you know him better than I do." Rogue sighed. A sudden thought came to her. "How did he find out about who she was in the first place?"

"Had Mastermind read Johnny's mind." Remy answered shortly.

I just hope Amara kept certain things to herself and asks the right questions. Unlike her team-mates, Rogue already knew about the power inhibitors and how they worked, and she knew that there was a possibility Amara could over-ride hers, as long as she thought the right way.

"Been meaning t' ask you, chérie," Remy addressed her again, catching her attention, "y' from down South?"

Rogue nodded. "Mississippi. Raised there at least. I'm adopted." She explained at his questioning glance.

Under normal circumstances, she would avoid conversation, but with nothing else to do but wait for certain death, silence seemed pointless.

"Moi aussi." Remy nodded. "Magsy mentioned earlier that y' can't control your mutation."

Rogue raised an eyebrow. "No. I'd have thought that was common knowledge."

"How long have y' had it?" Remy asked.

"Two years." Rogue answered. "Give or take. Why all the questions?"

Remy shrugged, his eyes boring into her. "Just curious. Must be difficult living without human contact. Not being able t' tell most people, so forcing them t' keep their distance. Keeping your friends at arms' length in case y' hurt them."

Rogue stiffened. He had just summed up her feelings about her mutation in a few short sentences. "You telepathic as well?"

"No. Emphatic." Remy corrected. "But that wasn't how I knew. Just figured that's how I'd feel if it was me."

Rogue began to feel a little uncomfortable. He was still on the other side of the cell, but he felt too close for comfort. "What about you? How long have you been mutant?"

"Well, I've had these eyes as long as I can remember." Remy told her. "Mes parents abandoned me because of them."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of playing cards, shuffling them habitually. "I ended up on the streets o' New Orleans, stealing for a living. One day, quandj'ai six ans, I was caught by a man I'd just picked the pocket of. He didn't seem put off by my eyes and took me in. His name was Jean-Luc LeBeau, the head of the Thieves' Guild. He had another son, Henri, who adopted me as a little brother. When I was fourteen, my powers appeared. Jean-Luc, of course, saw this as an opportunity. Due to that and…other circumstances, I left New Orleans and travelled north. Bout a year ago, I bumped into Magsy, who offered me a job. It paid, so I didn't ask."

Rogue didn't push him for any more information. "What's the deal with you and cards anyway?"

Remy smirked. "It's like having 52 explosives tucked away in one pocket." He selected one and gazed at it for a few seconds. "This one's special."

"The Queen of Hearts?" Rogue questioned.

"My lucky lady." Remy nodded. "Got me out of more holes than I care to remember."

Rogue sighed. "Let's hope she can get us out of this one then."

"Rogue."

At the use of her name, and not some French term of endearment, Rogue started and focused completely on her companion, who was looking more serious than she'd ever seen him. "Yes?"

Remy lifted his arm to show a metal bracelet fastened around his wrist. "This power inhibitor means there's nothing I can do t' get us out of here until Sabretooth and Magneto come for y'. I haven't even got anything that would let me pick the lock. I do have an idea, but I need t' know exactly how your powers work."

Rogue was puzzled. "Well, they're not exactly complicated. I touch someone and their powers, life-force, thoughts and memories flow into me."

Remy chucked. "That wasn't what I meant. I know you can't turn it on or off, but can y' control how much of someone you take?"

"Not really." Rogue admitted. "If I was to brush against you right now, I'd take the top layer of you conscience – everything you're thinking and feeling at the moment, as well as some of your personality."

"Any of my powers?" Remy pressed.

"No." Rogue shook her head. "I'd have to hold on longer and you'd end up unconscious."

"It'll have to do." Remy sighed. "Right; here's the plan. Y' take my powers, blast the door open, find your friend and get her and Johnny out of here."

"What about you?" Rogue asked, reluctantly getting to her feet. "Magneto will know you let me go."

"I'll think of something." Remy told her, watching her approach.

Swallowing hard, Rogue knelt beside him, reaching out a hand. Just before it reached his face, she stopped and searched his eyes. "I'm sorry."

Smiling weakly, Remy held up the Queen of Hearts and slipped it into her other hand. "Take care of yourself."

Feeling her throat become constricted with an unfamiliar type of emotion, Rogue closed the distance between them and touched his cheek, closing her eyes as his psyche flooded into hers.

She remained still for a few seconds, fighting for control, before opening her eyes and standing up.

Remy hadn't fallen from where he'd been braced against the wall, but his eyes were closed and she smiled sadly, before turning to the door, searching his memories for how the powers worked.

As she reached out and grasped the door-frame, Rogue stopped, Jean's voice suddenly appearing in her head.

Rogue! Rogue, where are you?!

Wincing, Rogue let go again, focusing her efforts on replying. Jean, there's no need to shout; I can hear you perfectly.

Where are you?!

Magneto's base. Amara's here too. Listen… Rogue quickly summarised Magneto's plan and Pyro and Gambit's desertion.

For obvious reasons, this didn't calm Jean down. Rogue, you've got to do something; we can't get to you…

Jean, would you relax?! Rogue sighed inside her head. I've got a plan, alright? Trust me. She forced the conversation to end and refocused on the door. Grasping the frame once more, she charged it, causing it to begin glowing ominously.

Then, as she let go, a hand caught hers, pulling her back as the door exploded outwards.

"Careful!"

At the familiar voice, Rogue spun around to see Remy grinning at her. "How did you wake up so quickly?"

"I never blacked out." Remy told her. "Felt a little disorientated, but that was it."

"It's probably your emphatic abilities." Rogue decided. "Logan's similar."

"Yeah, mais I did feel a pull last time." Remy disagreed. "That doesn't explain this." He lifted their joined hands.

Neither of them were wearing gloves.

AN: Quick note about accents: I hate writing them. I've done my best with Gambit's but I'm not going to attempt anyone else's. Also, I've read some fanfics in which Remy talks in third person, which happened in TAS and (I think) in the comics, but as far as I'm aware, he doesn't do it in Evo, so he won't here.

Please review; I'm getting a lot of hits and next to no comments!!!