Chapter 11: A Year Goes By

Rogue and Gambit were in the danger room, running the Blackbird sim. Tonight they were peering through the access panel on top of the Blackbird.

"Y'know what the most annoying t'ing about dis is cherie?"

"Mmm?"

"We spent months working in most o' the cramped spaces on the Blackbird and now dat I no long have t' restrain the urge t' feel yo' up, we're on top o' the Blackbird where's there's tons o' space. Yo' won't believe the number o' cold showers I had t' have afterwards."

Rogue laughed.

"Well, that's not that much space up here. After all, we don't want ta fall off."

"Hmm, dis is true. In fact, I t'ink I need t' move closer t' yo'."

"Feeling a touch of vertigo huh?"

"...Oui."

"Dork."

"Say what yo' will but yo' love me kissing yo'," he said, demonstrating by attending his lips to the back of her neck.

"Never denied it," Rogue replied with a smirk.

Gambit ran his hand down her back and curled one leg over hers. His kissing grew more intense as he snuggled up close to her.

"Mmm... Remy?"

"Mff?"

"You're makin' it very difficult ta concentrate."

Gambit gave a guttural laugh and turned her over to face him. His lips moved from her neck to her mouth and she kissed back, running her free hand over his chest.

"Supposed ta be workin'," Rogue felt the need to point out in between kisses.

"Are," Gambit decided. "Making sure the mechanic is fit fo' duty."

"Oh health inspection huh?"

"Oui."

His hand ran over her behind as she lifted her leg up over his side.

"Are ya qualified?" she teased him.

"Uh huh. Wanna see my certification?"

Rogue snickered.

"You come up with the worst lines."

"It's a gift," he replied as he slipped his fingers in under the waistband of her pants.

Rogue sat back in the booth at the jazz club and shook her head as Gambit returned to the table with their drinks.

"Ah can't remember the last time Ah came ta a place like this," she said. "Ah love these places but they're always so crowded..."

"Bit weird is it, cherie? Being able to be in a crowd wit'out being worried you're going t' absorb someone by accident?"

"Very weird. It's gonna take some getting used to."

Gambit chuckled and leaned into her.

"I don't mind the crowds myself. Makes... work... easier."

Rogue paused and eyed Gambit's cheeky expression with suspicion.

"And have ya been... workin'... tonight?"

"Mebbe."

"Ah don't want ta know."

Gambit chuckled.

"Why'd yo' ask den?"

"Storm would kill ya if she knew."

"Stormy's been threatening t' kill moi fo' all sorts o' tings. Calling her 'Stormy', flirting, getting int' her greenhouse uninvited, walking in on her and Logan doing the -"

"Ah didn't hear ya say that."

"Enticing the rug rats t' get up t' mischief. She hasn't acted on it yet, so I'm not worried she's going t' kill me for a little bit of pick-pocketing once in a while."

Rogue shook her head as she curled her fingers around the glass.

"You just love makin' trouble, dontcha?"

"Oui."

Gambit mentally counted down from five.

"Did you really walk in on Logan and Storm..."

"Oui."

"Why didn't Logan kill ya?"

"I'm just dat good."

"What were ya doin' sneaking inta Storm's bedroom anyway?"

"Who said I was in Storm's room?"

"Logan's? Stealing his beer again?"

"Didn't even say dey were in a bedroom."

"Then where - no, Ah've change muh mind. Ah will never be able ta go ta... wherever it is again without having bad visuals."

Gambit laughed.

"Come now cherie, it's not like we all didn't already know."

"Yes, but knowing and having an actual witness are two completely different things."

Silence for a moment.

"Good t'ing Logan has a healing factor or we'd all have visual evidence o' -"

"Remy!"

Gambit chuckled.

"Now Ah'm never gonna be able ta look at either of them again," Rogue muttered.

"Sure yo' will," Gambit replied encouragingly. "O' course, dey may start wondering why your face always seems t' be so red..."

The gang had gathered for another movie and as they troop into the theatre, preparing to share two row, Gambit leaned into Rogue.

"Wanna see if we can stir up Pulsey?"

Rogue gave him a Look.

"Ah want ta actually watch the movie, y'know," she said. "Ya can do whatever ya want, but if ya prevent me from watchin' the movie, Ah'll kick your butt."

"I can work wit' dat."

Gambit led them to a couple of seats in the lower of the two rows and smirked when, as he predicted, Pulse sat right behind him. Rogue rolled her eyes at the satisfied look on Gambit's face.

"If Ah get hit by even one piece of popcorn..." she said darkly.

Gambit chuckled with mischief as he sat down besides her and draped his arm across her shoulders. He glanced up at Pulse.

"Movie hasn't started yet, homme," he grinned at him.

Gambit cupped Rogue's face in his hands and kissed her lips softly.

"Troublemaker," she accused him.

"Yo' love it."

The theatre got dark, the previews ran and finally the movie started. Periodically Gambit would do something to make it look like he was about to start making out with Rogue and then pull away at the last second just to taunt Pulse. He knew he was getting to him when Pulse started throwing popcorn at him anyway and snickered to himself.

They were at the bottom of their own popcorn bag when they'd gotten to the "guns and explosions" part of the action flick. Gambit reached in and picked up a few of the unpopped kernels. Rogue looked down when she noticed a faint magenta light in the corner of her eye and caught her breath.

"You wouldn't dare," she breathed.

Gambit smirked.

"Wouldn't I?"

"You're gonna get us all kicked out."

"Only if we get caught."

Rogue turned back to the movie, her face screwed up in a mixture of horror and amusement. Gambit waited for the next set of explosions and tossed the charged kernals behind him. Tabitha (who had the misfortune to be sitting next to Pulse) squealed in fright while Pulse swore and kicked the back of Gambit's chair. Rogue bit down on her bottom lip in an attempt to keep from laughing out loud. Gambit grinned, feeling her body shake with suppressed laughter beneath his arm.

"You're terrible," Rogue said once she was capable of speaking without laughing.

"Yo' don't know the half o' it."

After the movie was over, it was all Pulse could do to keep from launching at Gambit and pounding him.

"You blew up stuff in the cinema!" he practically shouted. "Are you nuts? What happened to keeping a low profile?"

Gambit tugged his sunglasses down to look at Pulse, his trademark smirk on his face.

"Funny," he said as he gestured to the curious looks of the people around them. "I was about t' ask yo' the same question."

Rogue was woken by the dawning sun light coming in through the window around the curtains. She sighed to herself and rolled on her side, propping herself up on her elbow. Gambit was lying there beside her in the bed, still fast asleep. She smiled and ran her fingers through his hair.

So many times she'd wanted this; to spend the night instead of having to leave afterwards. That had always been a painful reminder of reality setting in. It had always been nice to be able to forget, even if it were only for a few minutes, that she couldn't touch people. But now she had control. She felt like she'd gotten her life back and there was nothing more she loved than just to hold and be held by the one she loved and not have a niggling worry at the back of the mind of 'what happens if he falls asleep'?

Rogue kissed Gambit's forehead and snuggled up next to him for a longer sleep in.

Just when Gambit thought he was going to get away with it, Storm came to his table in the dining hall with a cake in her hands. He sighed as he listened to everyone singing him 'Happy Birthday'.

"Y'know," he said dryly. "It might not even be mon actual birthday."

"Well, this is the day we celebrate as your birthday Remy," Storm smiled at him. "So blow out the candles already."

Gambit rolled his eyes and glanced at Rogue suspiciously.

"I blame yo'," he said.

Rogue chuckled as Gambit took a breath and blew out all the candles in one fell swoop. There was the usual applause and cheering in response and Storm offered him the knife to cut the first slice.

"Comes out dirty you have to kiss the nearest girl!" Tabitha declared.

Gambit smirked up at her, the knife poised over the cake.

"Yo' shouldn't have said dat, Tabby," he said. "Everyone knows the knife always comes out dirty so now I'm tempted to make sure it's clean."

"Can't happen."

"Oh yeah? Let's make dis interesting, shall we Tabs? Knife comes out clean, I kiss the nearest fille. Knife comes out dirty, I kiss the nearest garcon."

Bobby realised he was the nearest boy and backed off. Rogue laughed.

"All right! Some Remy on boy action coming up," Tabitha said gleefully, rubbing her hands together.

Gambit grinned at her. Then charged up the knife.

"That's cheating!"

Gambit just laughed as he sliced through the cake. Upon decharging the knife, he revealed the cleanliness of the blade and collected his prize from Rogue.

"Ripped off," Tabitha sighed.

"As the nearest guy," Sam said, shooting a dark look at Bobby. "Ah'm glad to hear it."

Bobby chuckled. Betsy, with her telekinetic prowess, took over the cake cutting and dished it out.

"No, Jamie," she said. "I don't care how many dupes you have in the room right now, you only get one piece."

Jamie sighed.

"Worth a try."

Later Rogue followed Gambit up to his bedroom, a variety of presents in tow. When Gambit opened the door he laughed seeing a mini fridge inside wrapped up in a bow. He laughed even harder when he saw the note attached.

"What?" Rogue asked.

"It's from Logan," Gambit grinned at her as he undid the bow. "He says 'now yo' don't have t' steal my beer all the time'."

Rogue laughed.

"Ooh speaking of beer," he said as he opened the door. "It's even stocked."

"Y'know, ya never did tell me how ya get away with stealin' his beer so often without him slicin' and dicin' ya."

"Dat would be my little secret. I wonder if he's going t' start stealing my beer now?"

"Oh dear, you and Logan engaged in a never-endin' beer stealin' war."

Gambit chuckled and fished out a magnet from a drawer so he put put up the picture Marrow had made him.

"Aww cute," Rogue said. "That's what Sarah drew ya?"

"Oui."

"Hmm, well that must be you and that's obviously Sarah... where's this place supposed ta be?"

Gambit shrugged.

"I t'ink she just likes drawing green hills."

"Fair enough. And speakin' of presents, Ah haven't given you mine yet."

"Does it involve yo' wearing sexy lingerie and a strip show?"

"Perv. And no, it doesn't," Rogue smirked at him as she handed him a flat box.

"Worth a try," he grinned at her. "Merci."

He ripped off the wrapping paper and draw a long breath as he saw the framed photo inside.

"Chere... dis N'Awlins? But... but we were never in N'Awlins t'gether."

Rogue chuckled.

"Yes, it's a photo of New Orleans. Ah photoshopped a photo of us into it. And we were so in New Orleans together. We visit it during Mardi Gras all the time in the danger room."

Gambit laughed and pulled her into a hug.

"I love dis ma chere. Merci."

Rogue kissed him softly.

"Good," she replied. "That was the idea."

It was the middle of the night and they were skinny dipping in the heated pool. Rogue had no idea how she had let Gambit talk her into this - she'd be mortified if anyone walked in - but he assured her that no one else would be up at this hour.

He held her close as they kissed and lifted one of her legs around him. She hesitated as she felt his growing hardness press against her.

"Remy... Ah..."

"I know," he replied softly. "Save it for later."

Gambit kissed her again as he felt her relax. He wasn't sure if Rogue just wanted to avoid an accidental pregnancy or if she was afraid of losing a second baby.

"Now ma chere, I must depart - " Gambit began.

"Aww, already?" Rogue asked.

"I have t' get your other birthday present."

"Oh well, in that case."

Gambit grinned at her.

"Why don't yo' sit on the balcony while you're waiting?"

"Because it's cold out?"

He gave her a pathetic look. Rogue sighed.

"Okay, okay."

"Bon."

He kissed her hand and departed. Rogue shook her head, grabbed her jacket and headed onto her balcony. Definitely way too cold out. She wondered what else he had in mind as she sat down.

Just when Rogue was thinking she should go back inside where it was warm, she heard her name being called. Frowning slightly, she stood up and peered over the balcony to see Gambit standing there. He cleared his throat and began to sing. Rogue's face broke into a huge grin as she leaned on the railing. He was serenading her! So exciting!

Gambit's song did not go unnoticed by Rogue's neighbours and before long (because one of them was Betsy, and she telepathically sent the word out) everyone on that side of the mansion was peering off their balconies and looking down on the spectacle.

"Awww!"

"Remy! Stop treading on the cat!"

"Yay Rogue!"

"Hey, his voice is beautiful."

"Why won't anyone ever serenade me, dang it?"

As the song ended there was applause from everyone. Rogue laughed happily and clapped as Gambit then proceeded to climb up to her balcony.

"That's was very nice," she said.

"Glad yo' liked it," he replied, then greeted her with a kiss.

"I hate playing poker with you Remy," Sam grumbled.

"Den why do yo' play wit' moi so often? Gambit teased him.

Rogue chuckled.

"Omigod!" Jubilee squealed as she bounced into the room. "Storm's pregnant!"

"And I'm sure dat Stormy loves yo' making her announcement fo' her," Gambit commented mildly even as his free hand sought out Rogue's leg.

"She said I could," Jubilee nodded. "Eeeee this is so exciting!"

"Probably because she knew that once Jubes found out there'd be no stopping her," Sam joked.

"Hmm," Bobby grinned. "Go Logan."

Later Gambit wrapped Rogue up in his arms. She'd been quiet all evening.

"Yo' okay Roguey?" he asked softly.

"Ah'm fine," she replied. "And Ah'm happy for Storm. And Logan. Ah'm just... just..."

Rogue closed her eyes and Gambit pulled her closer.

"Une day, ma chere. Une day you'll be a mother too."

Warren sat next to Gambit at the table on Valentines Day morning.

"Planning on serenading Rogue again today?"

"What? No. Dat was fo' her birthday. And I serenaded Betsy last year. Doing somet'ing different."

"Don't want to get predictable?"

"Ain't any fun in being predictable, mon ami."

"Remy!" Rogue exclaimed, running into the kitchen.

Gambit grinned and stood up just in time to catch her in his arms.

"Yo' like?"

"How ya managed ta get all that stuff in there without waking me up -"

"I'm just dat good."

"What stuff?" Warren asked.

"Balloons," Betsy said, having looked inside Rogue's room before coming down. "Lots of them. Some heart-shaped ones with 'I love you' written on them. And flowers. Why don't you ever sneak into my room and leave me stuff, Warren?"

"Umm, because you keep your door locked and I don't know how to pick them like thief-boy over here?"

"But you can fly and I don't keep the balcony doors locked."

"... Damn it Remy, you're giving us all a bad name."

Gambit chuckled.

"Oh, and before I forget ma chere," he said to Rogue. "I got us reservations at Jean-Claudes -"

"You did?" Warren asked, amazed. "How in the world did you manage to score reservations at Jean-Claudes on Valentines day?"

"Easy," Gambit grinned at him. "I rang up and said 'I would like t' book a table fo' deux fo' February 14 at six o'clock' and the femme said 'and what name would dat be under?' and -"

"That's not what I meant. I tried getting a table and they were all full."

Gambit shrugged.

"How long ago did yo' call?"

"About three weeks ago."

"Ouias. I called six months ago."

"Six months?"

"Oui."

"You're kidding?"

"Non."

"Guess we know what you'll be doing in August?" Betsy giggled.

Gambit and Rogue laughed at the indignant expression on Warren's face.

"So, ma chere, dis mean you'll have t' wear somet'ing extra amazing t'night, so I can show yo' off, no?"

Rogue grinned at him.

"You spoil me rotten, y'know that right?"

"Nonsense," Gambit waved a hand in dismissal. "Yo' haven't got a rotten bone in your body. Could never happen."

Rogue laughed.

"What's dis?" asked Gambit as he entered the danger room.

"Oh it's about time ya got here," Rogue nodded. "It's muh surprise."

"Yeah?"

"Ah made ya an obstacle course. Or a puzzle."

"Okay..."

"Uh huh. The idea is for you ta steal a diamond."

"Aww, chere, yo' made me a t'ieving sim."

"Of course, first ya have ta figure out where and how..." Rogue grinned at him. "Have fun."

"Sure. Gonna join me, or shall I meet yo' upstairs in an hour."

"Ah think you'll find it's gonna take ya a bit longer than that."

"Unlikely. Not t' disparage your good work, ma chere, but t'ieving is my business, not yours."

"Ah know. That's why Ah put timers on everything. This baby's gonna take ya at least six hours."

"Oh really? Sounds like a challenge."

"Good. That's the idea."

Rogue stepped into the danger room and breathed in the scent of freshly cooked Cajun food. She began to walk through the New Orleans simulation for Gambit.

"Remy?"

"In here, cherie," he called.

Rogue stepped inside one of the restaurants to find Gambit sitting down at one of the tables. There were two plates of jambalaya and a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice.

"What's all this?" she asked as she sat down with him.

"Surely yo' haven't forgotten our anniversary, cherie?" Gambit replied.

He attempted to pout at her, but he was looking too high-spirited for Rogue to take it seriously.

"Our anniversary isn't for almost another two months, sugah," she pointed out.

"Dat is the anniversary o' when we started dating. Or alternatively, of when yo' got your powers under control," Gambit replied. "Dis is the anniversary o' when we first exchanged 'I love you's, or more specifically, 'Je t'aime's."

Rogue smiled.

"Ah've never heard of anyone celebratin' that anniversary before."

"Told yo' chere. Hearing yo' say yo' loved me was the happiest day o' my life."

Rogue and Gambit looked up as Logan entered the kitchen. He made a beeline for the freezer and pulled out a tub of ice cream. Without a word they watched as he headed back up again.

"I wonder how long before he realises he forgot a spoon," Gambit mused.

"Never know, sugah," Rogue grinned at him. "Storm might have a collection up there already."

Five seconds later Logan re-entered the kitchen and retrieved a spoon. Gambit and Rogue attempted to hide their amusement but were unsuccessful. Logan glared at the pair of them and gave a low growl.

"Danger room," he said. "First thing. Level ten."

"Someone's a little grumpy?" Gambit grinned at him.

"Don't push me Gumbo."

Gambit cuddled up with Rogue in the bed and watched as she slept in his arms. A year ago today Rogue had gotten her powers under control and they'd started dating. He could hardly believe he'd gotten so lucky.

It felt so good to hold the women he loved the most in his arms. To hold her and to know that she loved him too. It sounded cliche, but he honestly couldn't understand how he had managed to live so long without her. She lit up his entire life and there was nothing he wanted more than just to be with her forever.