Chapter 14: A Drunken Mind Speaks a Sober Heart

Gambit ruffled the papers and pictures in the drawer by his bed impatiently. "Zut," he huffed, wondering where in the world the extra set of cards he was storing had gone. He withdrew from the search, hearing a soft knock at his door. "Son ouvert," he called. When nobody replied he grunted, forgetting that he was the only one at the institute who spoke French fluently.

A cheery Kitty Pryde stood in his doorway, a mountain of clothes in her arms. "Chanton," he began, "it's 12:10 in de morning. What are y—"

"Well, I like, had to have this shirt done tomorrow. I'm having lunch with Lance. Your clothes were in the wash ahead of time. So I just dried them for you."

"And folded," he smiled, "thanks petite!"

She yawned, "It's no problem. I had to keep awake somehow anyway."

"Y' should get some sleep girl," he took the wobbily skyscraper of garments from her hands.

The valley girl nodded, "goodnight Remy."

"Bon nuit Chanton," he softly kicked the door closed behind himself. The Cajun placed the stack on one of his dressers and plopped onto his bed; falling back into the soft sheets and pillows. Gambit watched the fan on his ceiling as his eyelids fluttered a moment, soon closing. The fierce gurgle of his stomach snapped him back to reality. I can't already be hungry, he thought, putting his gloved hand to his abdomen. The thief felt the vibration as it growled again.

"Maybe I am," he chuckled to himself, stretching his arms. Maybe heading to the kitchen wasn't such a bad idea. Nighttime snacks were always the best anyway; no other students in the kitchen to bother him. He was sure to be quiet as he slipped from his room and moved down the hallway.

He gripped the kitchen doorknob, startled by a throaty growl.

"Mon dieu," he spun around, "what the hell was that?" He snuck quietly down the corridor a ways, peeking into the recreation room. Come on Gambit, he gulped, that 'monster' those kids talk about, it ain't real. Get a grip. The profound snarl alarmed him further. His wide eyes scanned the room hastily. Relief washed over him like a wave; he stifled a laugh.

"Just Logan," he muttered to himself, observing the bad-tempered man who was snoring ferociously beneath a newspaper advertisement. Gambit ambled into the kitchen, flicking on the light. He snickered to himself, grabbing up one of Wolverine's bottles of cheap bourbon. He hummed happily to himself, scanning the cupboards for a snack. "Oreos," he turned the package over, reading the label to himself. The Cajun shrugged, "dis should suffice."

He hurried back to his room, slipping inside undetected. "Oh come on Remy," he sighed, "forgot a rocks glass." He shook his head, placing the unusual midnight snack on his nightstand. As he snuck down the hall yet again, a nearby ringing phone grabbed his attention. "Oh jeez," the thief scooped the phone up immediately – worried that Logan would awake. The last thing he needed was to be caught borrowing his liquor again.

"Xavier Institute, where gifted youngsters and beautiful persons reside," he chuckled at his own greeting.

"Is," a small voice on the phone paused, "Kitty there?"

Suspicious, the Cajun replied, "Actually, I do believe she has already retired for the night. Can I take a message?"

"Well," the girl on the other line sounded concerned, "maybe you can help me?"

"Perhaps," he raised an eyebrow. He could hear coughing and mumbling in the background.

"My name is Claire, I go to school with Jean and Scott." The phone clanked against something, Remy scrunched his brow as the girl continued, "I ran into Rogue tonight. She's a little… out of it."

"Wait…what!" He came out of his lean from against the wall, "she ain't supposed to be out."

"I'm sure she wasn't supposed to be drinking either," the girl sheepishly suggested.

Remy LeBeau slapped his forehead, "okay, tell me where you guys are, please."

Her temple bumped against the glass window; she felt every lump in the road. When Remy had arrived, the Southerner was led by two other gothic looking teens, knocking off of them like a pin ball. He was shocked she could even stand in those shoes he'd seen earlier.

"Are we almost there?" She queried in a slur.

The Cajun smirked, keeping his eyes on the darkness ahead, "Well, Remy never thought he'd see this day."

"Ah used to go out all the time." She snapped sloppily.

"I was talkin' 'bout you bein drunk Chere."

"Ah am not drunk, thank you," she huffed a lock from her view, "just buzzed."

The X-man expressed his amusement with a snort, "we're here now. Jus' be quiet okay?" He hauled her back upright by her shoulders as she wobbly walked alongside him. He wasn't sure how, but he managed to smuggle the illegally inebriated teen back into the mansion, and all the way to his bedroom.

"So," he closed the door, running a hand through his shaggy brown hair. "Date didn' go as y' planned, eh?"

The Southerner scanned the room, squinting, "this isn't my room," she barked.

Gambit swiftly brought a finger to his lips, shushing her. "I can't just drop y' into that room. Shadowcat was up not too long ago. We got t' get you cleaned up first Rogue." He watched her blink, figuring the room must have been spinning. "So," he began again, "was your date twenty-one?" His red on black eyes shifted to the coat she was throwing to the floor.

She was giggling now, "There wasn't a date swamp-rat. Ah was just foolin'."

It was a joke? He cocked his head to the side. He didn't give it another thought though; the short little dress that was blanketed by the trench coat she'd recently discarded was a pleasant surprise. His jaw was slightly ajar; fascinated at the sight.

"You're drooling," she teased. He grew even more staggered.

"You need t' change," he shook the shock from his expression; fumbling through a nearby dresser drawer. "Here," he pulled out a pair of pajama pants and a ribbed tank top.

She sat down on the bed, kicking the high shoes to the side. Her hands slid slowly up her legs, revealing the tops of her thigh highs. The Cajun stood before her, gulping down the urge to help her remove them. Rogue's movements were sloppy, and somehow exceptionally alluring. Remy ogled helplessly.

"Chere," he smirked, "take these and change in the bathroom." When she didn't take them, he tossed them beside her. Remy sighed in frustration, unbuttoning his black shirt. He glanced over his shoulder – the X-woman lay silently on her back, arm slung over her eyes. The top skated down his muscles, falling to the floor beside her trench coat. The thief faced Rogue again, noticing her examining him. His mouth turned upward; smugly. "Ta da," he wriggled his eyebrows, beckoning an arm towards his abs, provoking her.

"Gambit," she slurred, "shut…up…"

He only laughed in response, returning his attention to the pile of clothing on his dresser. He picked at it, searching for a proper night shirt. Movement on the bed caught his interest; the Southerner had gathered up the shirt and pants he'd offered her. She was moving towards the bathroom.

"Y' want some help?" he teased.

She scolded him briefly, stumbling into the private restroom. He chuckled to himself, hearing her staggering around, bumping into random things. He fell backwards onto his bed, listening to her grumbles. He began to drift off again, suddenly brought back to reality hearing the door click open. The Southern belle was leaning lethargically in the doorway, tugging softly at the rim of the t-shirt she'd borrowed from him.

"This shirt is," she hiccupped, and the Cajun stifled a laugh, "four times bigger than me." She pushed her bottom lip out, pouting. Gambit couldn't help but marvel at her.

She looked up at the Cajun who was leaning back onto his elbow trying not to laugh at her argumentative ways. She was studying his fine chiseled chest, his muscular built; he knew it.

Rogue was ready to admit to herself that she was really drunk. Suddenly she felt embarrassed, her cheeks flooded with pink.

"What's the matter Cherie?" Remy chuckled, amused at the sight of a swaying Rogue. "Y' alright," he queried again, tilting his head to the side. The Southerner blinked a moment; squinting, then closing her eyes and shaking her head.

"Ah'm just a little dizzy," she touched her gloved fingertips to her temple, wincing softly.

He patted the bed. She opened her glossy green eyes, suspicion looming in them. He lowered his eyes, "oh don't look at me like that," he was bothered by that look, "if y' dizzy then y' should sit down and sober up. I'll get you a glass of water." He rolled off the side of the bed, scooping up a cup from the counter.

Rogue sat down on the sheets, listening to the Cajun run water in the bathroom. "What are ya doin?" Her tone trailed off, sounding almost like an annoyed toddler.

"Well first," He walked a step out, folding her dress over his arm, "Since y' can't seem t' fold y' own clothes... I'll take care o' it." The Southerner watched as he neatly set them next to his own pile on the dresser.

"Can Ah sleep here?" her voice was quiet, she curled up against the black pillows.

He was caught off guard, nearly dropping the watch he was taking off, "What?" He shook his head, "No Rogue, I know y' tired, but you can't."

"Just let me take a nap," she yawned.

The thief chewed the inside of his cheek, releasing a heavy sigh. "Alright," he started, "but, y' can't give me a hard time when I wake you to go back t' yours. Got it?"

She nodded silently, eyes still closed. She was still very dizzy. The Cajun retrieved a spare blanket from a shelf in his closet, settling soon after in a large armchair. He retrieved his nearby cell phone, setting an alarm for 2:30 am.

This is probably a horrible idea, he sighed again to himself. As badly as he'd wanted to spend more time with Rogue, she wasn't in the best state of mind. Only a dim red-orange light from atop his dresser illuminated some of the room. With the silence, he finally realized how exhausted he truly was. Gambit yawned again, stretching his arms out.

"Remy," her voice was coy.

"Mmm?"

"Lay with me?"

"Chere, I don't thin—"

"—please…"

He bit his lip, his heart thumping hard. Remy LeBeau slipped from his made-up bed, hesitantly resting beside the young girl; he was sure to leave a good amount of space between them.

"Can Ah ask ya a question?"

"Quiz away." The Cajun closed his eyes, listening to her shift her weight.

"Are you happy?"

He chuckled, "what d' you mean?"

"Ah mean, are you happy?"

"Oh Rogue," he laughed a little louder, but still soft, "you should get some sleep."

"Ah don't like it," she huffed; the room was spinning.

He didn't say anything. He was hopeful she'd dose off, so he could carry her carefully back to her room. He would be patient.

"The way she looks at you."

His brow furrowed in curiosity, heart still thump-thumping. Was she talking about Dallas?

"Is that why y' been drinkin petite?" His words supple.

"Do you feel bad for me?" she sighed. Despite the gyrating world around her, thoughts of the conversation she with Cody flooded her brain. He had felt bad for her; pitied her. The goth felt the weight of the bed move a little as he shifted now. Then she felt his gloved finger tips take her chin and make her look at him. He was leaning over her now.

"Rogue," he started, "don' be silly." He watched a tear skate down her cheek. "What's this about?"

"Me... my powers." She whispered.

He stroked her cheek with his hand, "I think y' have a heavy load t' deal with Cherie. But, I don't feel bad for you. I admire you." She turned her whole body towards him now, looking up, he studied her face.

"You smell like cigarettes and cinnamon," she closed her eyes, chewing softly on her lower lip. He laughed quietly, abruptly feeling knots behind his bellybutton.

"Do I?" He purred. They were inches from one another now; silence clung between them.

"Yes," she breathed, her eyes falling on him in a way he'd never seen before.

He had been falling quite hard for this girl; he was sure of it now. But in this instant, it was so sudden that he ached for her, this desperately. She watched his chest rise and fall, almost hearing his heartbeat. Gambit leaned down slowly, leaving the slightest of space between their lips. Her breath hitched; the thief barely made out the aroma of alcohol beneath Rogue's vanilla scent – it was enough to make him retreat – reminding him of the circumstances.

"I think it's time t' take y' back t' your room Cherie," Remy's chest was beating feverishly. She sat up, pretending to ignore it when he slipped a pillow over his groin; veiling his desire.

"Ah don't want to go back," she cooed, rolling over a bit too quickly on the bed. Before she knew it, she had tumbled over the edge, catching the back of her head on the side of his nightstand.

"Rogue!" He jumped up, running to the other side. She looked up at him, even more dazed than before. On the spot, she was in a fit of giggles.

He scooped her up in his brawny arms, positioning her back on the comfort of his bed. "Ah'm fine." She laughed, rubbing at the back of her skull. His face was still one of concern. He shook his head, sitting down beside her. The goth sat up, falling serious again.

"Thank you," she paused, "for helping me tonight."

Remy now looked relieved, and didn't appear the least bit bothered. A small smile was curled in the corner of his mouth. "Y' bein' pretty nice to me," he chuckled, "can't say I'm gon' let you live this down."

"You better if you don't want your new girlfriend to find out," her tone was sarcastic.

"Girlfriend?" he repeated, "Dallas?"

Rogue nodded.

"Oh Chere," he laughed quietly again, "No. Dallas is not my girlfriend. We're jus' friends."

"You don't love her?" Rogue raised an eyebrow, starting to feel a bit foolish.

"I don't even know her," he shook his head. "Where is this comin' from?"

"You don't know me either…"

"I know more than y' think," he teased. They found themselves sitting in silence again. The Southerner stopped Remy as he began to rise off the bed. This time, she cupped his face, turning it to her own.

"Chere," he breathed.

"It's okay," she drew close to him, "Ah want you to."

A/N: Thanks, still, again, for reading!

Wolf Skater – I was too sick of the denial to not write this chapter, haha. I hope it was alright! =)