Rogue was a bit surprised when she had picked Gambit's name from the box for her Secret Santa yesterday. Something inside her told her that Jean had set the whole thing up, but she decided to go along with it.
When she had woken up, she didn't see Gambit anywhere. She looked in all the places she had usually seen him, but he was just plain gone. Maybe this was a good thing if she was to shop for him. Walking into the hallway from the gym, she ran into Storm.
"Hey, Ororo." She said, seeing Storm smile at her. "Ya got time ta head ta tha mall with me? Ah've gotta shop for my Secret Santa."
Ororo tilted her head. "Of course." She said. "But why so urgent?"
"Ah just wanna get it done." She said, feeling her ears burn.
Storm smiled. "I suppose we can go now." She said as they headed toward the garage. "Do I know this person well enough to help?"
Rogue smile at her. "Better than anyone else here." She said, knowing that gave away who she had gotten.
"I assume you have Gambit." She said, cocking an eyebrow.
She lightly laughed, feeling her face redden. "Who'd ya get?" She asked.
Storm sighed, her smile fading. "Logan." She said.
"Shit." Rogue said, walking into the garage and hopping into the convertible. "Ah'm sorry. That's gonna be a tough one. But don't worry. We can work together, hun."
As Rogue started up the engine, Gambit pulled in on his motorcycle. He took his balaclava off and smiled at them as he dismounted from the bike. Putting the car in first gear, Rogue noticed a box strapped down on the back.
"That's why ah couldn't find him. He's been out shoppin'." She said, driving out of the garage. "Ah wonder who he got."
"He did not seem too interested in it yesterday." Storm said, looking out the window at the snow-covered grounds of the mansion. "He seemed distant."
"Yeah." Rogue said, turning on to the main road and heading into town. "We've both been a little preoccupied at tha moment."
"Is everything alright?" Storm asked. "I know I asked you the other day, but you two seem to be avoiding each other. After gaining control of your powers, I had expected the two of you to be inseparable."
Rogue chuckled. "Well, it's a little complicated right now." She said, tightening her grip on the wheel as she stopped at the red light, the leather gloves creaking under the pressure. "Ta sum it all up, he's movin' too fast for me and ah'm movin' too slow for him."
"Hm." Storm said, understanding what she meant.
"Ah wanna be with him, Ororo." She said, looking at her. "Ah really do, but not that soon. Ah just learned to control my powers not even a week ago. Why can't he understand that ah need some time?"
"I am under the impression that something has taken place to cause this tension between the two of you. This...rift." She said, seeing Rogue nod and swallow as the light turned green.
Stepping on the gas, Rogue roared into second gear. "We almost had sex." She said, glancing at Storm before turning her eyes back to the road. "Ah'm serious. Ah was stripped down and he was more than ready with a condom in his hand. Ah just stopped him and told him ah wasn't ready."
"After a bit of foreplay, you told him you were not ready?" Storm asked, raising an eyebrow. "That is evil."
"Don't go and take his side, gal." Rogue said. "Ah ain't never been with a man in that fashion. When ah saw how serious he was, ah got scared. Ah don't even know where tha idea of me sleepin' with him came in ta play."
"But you want to." Storm said.
"Ah mean, sure. Eventually. Ah guess." Rogue said shrugging as turning into the mall parking lot. "Ah'd like ta experience it, but on my terms and when ah'm ready."
Storm smiled. "You will know when you are ready for intimacy. There is no need to rush." She said as Rogue parked the car. "Now, let us go and have fun shopping."
"Amen, sista." Rogue said, killing the engine and heading inside with Storm.
–
Hauling the box upstairs and into his room, Gambit closed the door before he dropped the box on his bed. Stripping from his leather jacket, he threw it on the floor by the closet before he opened the box and started taking the contents out. He hadn't spent a great deal of money on Rogue's gift, but he was sure it was original. Of course he had borrowed the idea from a pair of fluffy dice, but that was beside the point.
Taking a pack of cards, he emptied them from the box and separated the instruction cards before he took a permanent marker and ripped it from the package. Reaching back to his left back pocket, he felt around for a certain piece of paper. His brows dipped in confusion as he stood and felt his front pockets.
"De fuck I put dat?" He asked, tossing the marker on the bed before he checked the bottom of the box.
Walking over, he picked his jacket up off the floor. Checking every pocket, he finally found it in the breast pocket. Shaking his head and smiling, he remembered he had added to that paper when he had stopped for gas. Dropping the jacket back to the floor, he head back over to his bed and took the cap off of the marker after unfolding the paper.
He had come up with fifty-two phrases and actions to write on the face of each card. He kept them mild, of course, but he did have a 'wild card' that he threw in there in hopes of it getting somthing a little steamy. The more he wrote the more excited he got about Christmas. He usually didn't make a big deal about Christmas, but this year was different. This year, his heart belonged to someone he loved.
He loved her. He did. There was no lying to himself about it. No denying it. Every time he looked at her, his heart skipped a beat and he would find himself smiling. She was so real. She had everything he could ever ask for in a woman. She was just so incredible.
Blinking a few times, he realized he had daydreamt. "Femmes be de death o' me." He said, smiling and shaking his head as he went back to writing.
After carefully filling out the last card, Gambit sat up and stretched his back, hearing a few pops in his lower spine. He looked up and glanced at the clock to see he had filled these out close to two hours. Standing, he stretched his legs and put his arms over his head, feeling his sternum pop.
He immediately placed his hand on his chest as a dull pain followed. "Ugh." He grunted as he put the cap on the permanent marker and tossed it on his bed.
Taking the cards, he shuffled them several times before he placed them back in their package. Smiling at his gift, he placed them in his top dresser drawer where he knew they would be safe. He looked at the door when he heard a knock.
Walking over, he opened it to see Storm. "Hey, chere." He said, opening the door wider for her to enter as he pushed his sleeves up to his elbows. "C'mon in."
Storm walked in and sniffed as she saw the remains of his gift. "What on earth is this?" She asked, looking at his bed.
"Dat be part o' my gift fo' de Secret Santa person I pick." He said, flashing her a grin.
"I see." She said, looking at him. "I was stopping by to ask if you would like to join me for lunch."
"Y' mean y' didn' get not'in' t' eat while y' was out wit' Anna?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"We did not have time for food, as we were shopping." Storm said, smiling. "I would be honored if you joined me."
Gambit shrugged. "O' course, chere." He said, picking his leather jacket up off the floor and putting it on. "Après vous."
Walking out, Storm placed her left arm in his right and walked down the stairs with him toward the garage. Grabbing the keys to the sedan, Gambit unlocked it before opening the door for Storm. She smiled as she got in and strapped up as Gambit went around and got in the driver's seat.
"Where y' wanna go?" He asked, starting up the engine and starting down the driveway toward the gates of the mansion.
"I was thinking Mediterranean." She said, looking at him and seeing him smile. "Do you know of a place?"
"Oui. I know a place." He said, waiting for a few cars to pass before head turned on to the main road. "Why we really goin' out, Ro? Y' ain' never do dis b'fore."
"I just want to enjoy your company." She said, sighing. "I do not go out as much any more."
"Pourquoi pas?" Gambit asked, looking at her before turning his attention back to the road. "Why not?"
Storm shook her head and smiled. "I have more important matters to attend to." She said. "I am not as vibrant and young as you."
"Ro, y' be a sexy femme. Y' should be enjoyin' life." He said, smiling at her. "Goin' out. Meetin' hommes."
She smiled back as he continued.
"Dis here be a lookout date, den." He said, putting his finger up in the air. "We hook y' up wit' a nice man, chere."
"I do not want to be hooked up with anyone." She said, causing him to raise and eyebrow.
"Why not?" He asked.
"I am content with what I have." She said. "I would like to have an innocent date with my friend."
"Bes' friend." He clarified.
"Best friend." She repeated with a smile as they pulled into the restaurant parking lot.
"Wit' our relationship, Ro, I be class'fied as wha' de call de gay best friend." He said, making her laugh as he took her arm as she got out.
"You are far from gay, Remy." Storm snickered as they headed inside. "Besides, if you were, you would have better taste in clothes."
"Ouch." Gambit said, placing his free hand on his chest. "Dat cut like a knife, ma belle amie."
–
Rogue looked at the gift she had bought for Gambit and pouted in thought. This would require more work than she had imagined. It sounded good on paper and in her mind, but the more the thought about it, the more she dreaded assembling it.
"Well, this is what ah chose." She told herself as she opened the sturdy, black, leather leg holsters and placed them on her bed.
Taking the small, black, ammunition pouch she had purchased at the Army Surplus store, she took a pack of cards and opened them to make sure they fit comfortably. She smiled when they slid in and were nice and snug.
"Alright." She said to herself as she reached into the bag and grabbed the industrial glue she got at the hardware store.
She laughed, thinking about the men that saw her in the glue aisle. They had assumed she had no idea what she was looking for. All of the people she's absorbed over the years of this cursed power, she learned a few things about using tools and mechanics.
Standing, she put the holster around her waist as a guide, leaving several inches, marking the places she would attach the pouches to with a white chalk pen. After finishing, she popped the top off of the glue and put a good amount on the belt of the holster before she pressed the pouch into it. She held it there for a minute before she let go and looked at it, holding it up.
"Not bad, gal." Rogue commended herself as she continued with the next one.
After attaching the four pouches on the belt, it was time to completely change the leg holsters. Rogue looked at the shape of the holsters for the guns and thought about how she could try to mold them. She was certainly strong enough to do whatever she needed, but approaching it was what was holding her back. Shaking her head, she decided to just jump into it.
Cutting here and gluing there, Rogue realized this wasn't working out as well as she had hoped. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she decided she'd just have to go buy two more ammunition pouches and to hell with the original plan.
Standing and grabbing her purse, she headed out of her room and down the stairs where she then went straight to the door of the garage. Grabbing the keys to the convertible, she hopping inside and started up the engine as she drove off toward the Army Surplus store.
–
Taking a sip of wine, Gambit smiled at Storm when he noticed her smiling warmly at him. "Dere somet'in' on yo' mine, chere?" He asked, setting the glass down.
"How are you and Anna?" She asked, resting her chin on the backs of her intertwined fingers.
Gambit let out a deep sigh as he leaned back and shrugged. "A'right." He said, looking down at his glass of wine. "Not where I like it t' be, no?"
"What is the matter?" Storm asked, her brows dipping in concentration.
Shaking his head lightly, he sat up and leaned in, looking into Storm's eyes. "When she get control, I t'ought maybe she be all over me. But it be de exact opposite." He saw her take in a breath to say something, but he continued. "I know she ain' touch nobody in twelve years an' dis be de first intime relationship she ever have, but why she gotta let m' get so close an' den pull away?"
Reaching over, Storm placed her hand on his that had, apparently, been tapping the table. "She is still very naïve when it comes to relationships. She has only known friendships, built over time as an X-Man. Then you came along and ruined everything." Storm joked, making him smile. "You are the only one who was able to get close to her while she was unable to control her powers. You would hug her and kiss the top of her head or where ever her hair lay on her face. There is even the rumor of you two staying the night together several times. Even before she gained control."
Gambit chuckled. "Word spread like wild-fire." He said, watching as her hand held his. "Didn' do not'in'."
"I know you did not." Storm said with a smile.
"But I wanted t', Ro." He said. "Wanted t' so bad."
"I understand." She said, patting his hand. "But when she is ready, she will come to you. It should be a special moment for the both of you."
Gambit nodded and then chuckled. "Fuckin' hate abstinence." He said, making her laugh. "Pardonner fo' de language."
She shook her head, still smiling. "It is quite alright, my friend. I understand your frustration." She said as the waiter walked over with their check.
–
The Army Supply owner smiled when he saw her enter again. "Hello again." He said. "Forget something?"
"Ah'm about two ammo pouches too short." She said, walking over and finding only one black one. "Ya think ya got any more in black?"
The owner thought. "The small ones you're looking for?" He asked and Rogue nodded. "Lemme go check."
Crossing her arms just under her bust, Rogue looked around at all the stuff in the store. The place was a lot bigger than she had thought before she had visited today. She then smiled thinking about how it probably looked for her buying so many ammunition pouches. Shaking her head and chuckling lightly, the owner returned.
"These are the last ones." He said, holding up three.
"Ya know what? Ah'll take 'em all." Rogue said, walking up to the counter.
"Anything else you need?" He asked with a smile.
"Hm." Rogue thought as she tapped her right index finger on her chin. "Do ah need anything else?" She took another glance around the store before turning back to the owner. "Let me just take a look-see right quick." She walked off before returning a few minutes later. "Ah think that's it."
"Alright." The owner said as he rang her up. "Sixteen fifty-five."
Rogue handed him some cash and waited for her change. "Ah bet it looks a little silly with me buyin' all these pouches." She said.
The man smiled and shook his head. "Not at all." He said, handing her change back. "We get all kinds of folks that come in here. You seem to have a vision as to what you're doing, though."
"Well, ah'm tryin' ta make a special holster for my boyfriend." She said, trying to get use to using the word 'boyfriend' to describe Gambit.
"Well, I'm sure it'll all work out." The man said, handing the plastic bag with the four ammo pouches. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas." Rogue said with a smile as she left the store and headed back to the mansion.
It would be her luck that as soon as she pulled into the garage, Storm and Gambit where heading to the door. They stopped and looked back to see her pull up and kill the engine.
"Goodnight..." She groaned quietly as Gambit smiled, waiting for her to get out of the car.
When she did, she wrapped the plastic bag up as tight as she could and smiled back. "Where y' been, chere?" He asked as she walked up to him.
"Last minute shoppin'." She said, feeling him wrap his arm around her as they headed inside. "Ah forgot something for my Secret Santa person."
"Mm." He said, nodding, as they headed upstairs. "Hope dey like it."
"Ah hope so too." She said, with a smile as she stopped at her door. "Alright, ah've gotta finish this gift. Ah'll see ya later."
Gambit placed his hands on his waist and cleared his throat to get her attention as she opened the door. "It be a'most t'ree o'clock an' Remy ain' get no kiss today." He said, seeing her turn around and smile.
"My, my. Where are my manners." She said, quickly tossing the bag in her room before she shut the door and walked up to him.
He smiled down at her as he placed his hands on her waist and kissed her softly, feeling her arms wrap around his shoulders and neck.
"Guys, please! You're just outside of a room!" Bobby said, walking past them with a grossed-out expression.
"Te faire foutre." Gambit said, as they watched Bobby disappear into his room.
Rogue smiled up at him. "What's that mean?" She asked, playing with his pony tail.
"It mean, 'Fuck you'." He said, making her giggle.
She saw him smile at her laugh and she got herself under control. "Ah was thinkin', hun." She said, seeing his left eyebrow raise in curiosity.
"Wha' y' t'inkin'?" He asked, hooking his hands together on the small of her back, pulling her against him.
Smiling shyly, Rogue picked at several pieces of lint on his shirt. "Ah was thinkin', maybe we could spend a quiet evenin' by tha fireplace." She said, placing her right palm on his left clavicle before running it up behind his neck. "Whatcha think?"
"I t'ink dat be très bon." He said, kissing her forehead.
"Good." Rogue said, patting his chest lightly with her right hand. "Now, ah've gotta get this thing done while ah'm in tha mood. Ah'll come find ya later. Alright?"
"D'accord." He said, kissing her once more before she pulled away and disappeared into her room.
Leaning against the door, she sighed. God, his cologne smelt good. Whatever it was, it made her want to linger a little longer. She smiled as she walked over and unwrapped the four ammunition pouches from the plastic bag and started her work up again.
–
Gambit looked at the clock just over the entertainment center and sighed. Rogue had been in her room for three hours. What the hell what she working on? Maybe she didn't draw his name. He couldn't think of anything he had wanted that required that much work. If she was making something, then it had to be for someone technical. Perhaps Beast. He was a pretty calculatory guy. Was that even a word? Calculatory? He mentally shrugged and watched the handful of students finish their game of pool before they left, leaving him alone.
He sighed again as he lied down on the couch, crossing his ankles and folding his arms over his chest. "Might as well get a nap in." He said, quietly to himself, as he closed his eyes.
Suddenly hearing his name being softly called, he opened his eyes and saw Rogue standing above him. Sitting up, he rubbed his face as she plopped down beside him, placing her hand on the back of his head and following his pony tail down.
"Were sleepin' hard, hun." She said.
Blinking a few times, he looked at her and smiled. "Been a busy day." He said, standing and holding his hand out. "Time fo' dat sit in front o' de fire?"
Rogue smiled as she took his hand. "Sure is." She said as he helped her stand. "Unless ya too tired."
Shaking his head, he smiled as he led her to the living area. "Ain' never too tired fo' you, chere." He said as she sat down on the couch and Gambit walked over to start the fire.
Starting it up, he poked the logs around to get them going before he stood and head over to the couch where Rogue had made herself comfortable, curled up on the end. Sitting in the middle, he looked at her and smiled as he placed his left arm on the back of the couch.
"T'ought y' wanned t' cuddle." He said, watching her smile back and rub her hands together.
"Technically, ah didn't say anything about cuddlin'." Rogue said as she moved over and sat close to him. "But, ah'm mighty cold and ya pretty warm."
He lightly laughed as his arm came around and pulled her closer. "Dat be 'cause I got de hots fo' y', mon amour." He said, kissing her cheek and then trailing it to her neck.
"Keep it 'G', Hot Stuff." Rogue said, gently pushing him away. "We ain't alone in this big ol' mansion."
"Was gonna go for 'PG'." He said, placing his hand on her thigh. "Get away wit' a li'l more, no?"
Rogue laughed as she turned to him, sitting on her legs. "Ah got ya somethin' for Christmas." She said, seeing his smile turn to a playful smirk.
"Did y' now?" He asked, looking at both of her eyes as he turned to her, his left leg bent in front of him. "Wha' y' get me?"
"Ah ain't tellin' ya." She said, a little surprised that he actually tried that.
"Well, I got somet'in' fo' y' too." He said, placing his right hand on the left side of her face, gently stroking the apple of her cheek.
"Lemme guess." Rogue said, a playful smirk appearing on her face. "Lingerie."
Gambit chuckled. "Non." He said, looking at her lips. "Dis somet'in' dat'll do y' good. Help y' relax."
Rogue's eyes widened . "My god, it ain't a dildo is it?" She asked.
Gambit couldn't help but let out a bellowing laugh as he threw his head back. "Wha' de fuck, chere?" He asked, trying to calm himself as he wiped his eyes. "Non. It ain' dat eit'er. Mon dieu, my stomach."
"Well, there ain't no tellin' what someone like you is gonna get me." She said, a little offended as he calmed himself and took in a deep breath.
His smile softened as he cupped her face with both hands, looking over her beautiful features. "Anna, I..." He said, getting her attention.
"Ya what? Wanna make fun of me some more?" She asked, seeing his face go serious.
"Non." He said shaking his head, realizing what he wanted to say, so he tried again. "I..." He paused again before a slight, loving smile formed on his lips. "Je t'aime."
Rogue dipped her brows in confusion. "What's that mean?" She asked.
He chuckled nervously, realized he had said it in French. "It mean, I... I-I love you." He said, seeing her face relax out of surprise.
"What?" She asked, softly.
He could tell she was trying to register what he just said. "I love y', Anna." He said, his smile widening. "C'est vrai. Every time I look at y', mon coeur stop beatin'. Can' breathe. Dere be no one else in a full room once y' walk in. Y' all I see, mon amour."
He noticed her breathing shallow as her hands came up and rested on his. "Remy... Ah... Ah wasn't expectin' that." She said, her hands trembling over his.
He smiled shyly. "Wasn' eit'er." He said, lightly chuckling. "But it be true, chere. Remy loves you. An' y' don' gotta say anyt'in'. Jus' wanted t' let y' know dat's de way-"
He was suddenly cut off by Rogue pressing her lips against his, shutting him up. He felt her hands move up into his hair as he felt the passion in her kiss. He closed his eyes and kissed her back, letting his hands wander to her back as he pulled her into a hug.
Breaking the kiss, Rogue leaned her forehead against his as her hands cupped his face. "Ah reckon ah love ya too." She said, pursing her lips together.
"Y' reckon?" He asked a little confused, placing his hands on hers as he saw her give a shy smile.
"Well, ah ain't ever been in love. Ah mean, ah thought ah was when ah was with Cody back home in Mississippi, but we were kids." She said, looking into his black and red eyes. "Ah've had several crushes, but this feelin' Remy. This has ta be love. Ain't never felt anything like this before. In all honesty, ah'm scared half ta death of it."
Gambit smiled as he took her right hand and placed it on his chest. "I be scared too. Never t'ought I be fallin' for anot'er woman in m' life." He said, watching her eyes wander over his face. "But Je t'aime. I love you, Anna Marie."
Rogue smiled as she hugged him tight before pulling away and kissing him softly.
A/N: Bit of ROMYness for y'all.
There's more shopping, so don't worry. This ain't the end of it. You shall see what is going on in the next chapter as soon as I edit it...
Thanks for all the reviews!