Chapter 20:

Unexpected Company

Remy LeBeau's hands snaked their way behind the ruffles of his hair; staring holes into the ceiling. He had spent a lot of time lately, thinking about Rogue. It was unusual for him to be caught up on any woman. So why now?

You've been asking yourself that same question since she got here, his brain echoed.

Wasn't that just the truth? It was fun at first, being playful with her. But the Southerner was different – he gathered that within days - and that? That really just trapped Gambit. Which was unheard of. Suddenly, the urge to just find a good lay, turned into an urge to get a rise out of Rogue. Sometimes, and he couldn't but smile at the thought, the thief felt like a ten year old boy, picking on a crush.

"Hmph," he shook his head at the ceiling fan, "you're losing your way…" notions of the future breezed through his tired mind. What would become of picking on the Southerner anyway? After months of doing so, all that had changed was a glimmer now and again of her humanity toward him.

She did try to kiss me, he assured himself; quickly, he was reminded that she had been drunk.

She'd certainly responded to the physical nearness they'd shared beneath the office room's desk earlier that night – but was it him? Or just the fact that somebody was borderline touching her? She didn't shy away, which left him curious.

You big ol' fool, the Cajun sighed, you're just asking to get yourself in a whole boatload of trouble again. Allowing yourself to think about a girl so much. A girl, not even a "woman" … and then he pondered that last thought. Rogue was certainly more of a woman than the dozens and dozens he'd slept with.

That was something entirely else. He'd felt so deprived lately. It was so unusual to be so abstinent. Suddenly, he found himself considering Dallas. The new girl had suggested, that they should move to the next level with one another – which technically (and strangely) would be kissing. I say strangely, because Remy hadn't even made a move in the first place – which was entirely out of character for the heartthrob.

How easy would it be to take advantage of her? He freed a frustrated groan; pulling the pillow from behind his head – mushing it over his face.

How can you even think that way, after all you know?!

Had the profile they'd discovered on that computer, concerning DeSchaduw, been correct – there was a lot to talk about with Xavier in the morning. The girl was not visiting America for help in developing her mutation; she was hiding in plain sight. Back in Holland, she was wanted for escaping an asylum. What was even crazier was story that Remy got a glimpse of suggesting she'd assaulted both her parents. She was a wanted woman; an international criminal. But she seemed so sweet.

An abrupt knock at the door brought his sleepy eyes to attention.

What in the world? He cocked an eyebrow, praying to God it wasn't Logan planning a surprise morning session in the danger room.

He was surprised to see DeShaduw smiling up at him; her violet orbs blissfully ignorant to his knowledge – or so he thought. Remy wondered if her ears had been ringing.

"Dally!" He said more loudly than he'd meant to.

"Is this a bad time?" She queried; a toothy smile.

It's an awful time, his brain screamed, "it's early…" he said instead, sharply. His tone was lower than usual.

"It is," she reiterated. "I was wondering," she moved in a little closer, her fingers walking unhurried up his bare chest as she whispered, "If I could come in?"

His demon eyes studied her expression. Was this a trick? Or did she really just not believe him when he had said 'no' to taking things up a notch the other day? The Dutch girl shifted slightly, enough for her robe to drape somewhat to the side. It was enough for Remy to make out the lacey looking bra she was wearing beneath it.

"Not tonight," he began.

"Why not?"

"Because—"

"Because…"

"Because girl," he was becoming impatient, "I said so."

"I think I have something you might want," she lowered her voice.

The Cajun chuckled, still serious, "I didn't say you didn't have something I might want," he nodded his head in the direction of the lingerie he knew was beneath the dressing gown, "I said—"

"No," she interrupted, suddenly drawing a thumb drive from her silk pocket. Her voice once sugary, was now rigid, "I was talking about this."

His lips parted; brow furrowing suspiciously. A silence lingered between the two for a moment or so. Gambit swallowed, wanting to slap the overconfident smirk right off her face. Wordlessly, he pushed the door open, moving somewhat to the side. She entered.

"Where's Rogue?"

"Relax," she smiled, "she's sleeping." The girl strutted around his room, glancing here and there at his personal belongings.

"How do I know that's true?"

"You think I would do something to her, at her home? With all her teammates around?" She rolled her eyes, "you must find me incredibly unintelligent. Which," she turned and looked at him, "I find insulting."

"Where did you get it then?" His voice was firm.

"You're not the only decent thief around here, Remy LeBeau," her eyes twinkled playfully. He wasn't quite sure where she was going with all of this, but his gut instincts were telling him it wasn't good. "I haven't been here too long," she said coolly, "and you were the first person to truly take an interest in making me feel at home—"

"What are you getting at?"

"Remy," she said softly, her eyes bright, laced with sadness, "I consider you a friend." He said nothing in response, so she continued, "I came here to ask you not to show this to Professor Xavier."

"You don't even know what's on that—"

"I know you and Rogue went to Thomas and Thomas Central Processing."

An unruffled Gambit smiled, tucking his hands in his sweatpants pockets, "you do, eh?"

"Mhmm," she glided over to him gingerly, a little too close for his comfort. "And I don't want to keep any secrets from you." DeSchaduw mastered the puppy dog face, "that company was harvesting mutant profiles, selling information on mutants."

"Gathered that much petite—"

"No," she shook her head, "they weren't just selling them. They were fudging them."

His jaw moved sharply, attention grabbed, "fudged?"

She nodded, "the father and son were conspiring against mutants; slandering names."

"How convenient," he snickered, "you think in case I stumbled across the truth, you could jus' explain it away with – they fudged it?"

"Why is that so hard to believe?"

He studied her face for a moment, "If you're telling the truth," he stepped closer to her, his eyes burning into her, "then you have nothing to hide from Xavier."

She seemed quite irritated for a moment, but quickly composed herself, "you're right." She bit her bottom lip, looking away. "Here," she took his hand, slipping the device into his grasp, "show him." Her violet eyes twinkled against the rays of light that pierced the window.

Remy was caught off guard, unsure of this. Was she really telling the truth? Was Rogue wrong? He had thought sure Dallas was a sweet girl all along.

He felt a pull at the back of his neck. Her shadow had yanked him down to her purple lips, into a kiss. He jerked away.

"You need to leave," he said, and she looked to her feet.

"I'm sorry—"

"Leave," he repeated. "If you're bein' honest about this, you have nothing to worry about. And I told you before, we're just friends."

"Friends can still have fun, you know?" she suggested, studying his face in the dark of his room.

"I think some tings need to get cleared up before you go thinkin' like that," the Cajun spoke firmly.

"Fine," she said, but he could tell she was not pleased. "Everything will be resolved tomorrow, anyway." She ventured to the door without another word, only sparing him a glance on her way out.

"Professor?" Remy LeBeau peaked his head into the large office.

"Gambit," the older man smiled, "please, come in."

The Cajun entered, his uniform boots heavy against the hard wood floor. He wondered if the leader of the X-men truly waited to hear what they had to say – or if he secretly listened to their thoughts outside the door. Professor Xavier was a principled man, surely he respected privacy. The x-man shook the thoughts from his mind, assured that his mental space was safe in the hands of his leader.

"What can I do for you?" Xiavier queried.

A sigh, "Rogue and I sort of stumbled on some," he looked for the word, "disconcerting information."

"Oh?" The man bunched his brow, rubbing at his chin. "And by stumbled you mean..?"

"We," he scratched the back of his neck absent mindedly, "broke into a building and borrowed some information."

"Gambit, when we agreed you would be a part of this team, it was a mutual conformity that pilfering was to be considered an old habit." Deep disappointment filled the older man's voice.

"Old habits die hard, I guess," Remy teased with a smile. He quickly composed himself realizing the Professor was not amused. "I'm sorry," he began, "it's just, Rogue asked me for her help and—"

"Rogue needed help?"

"Yes," the Cajun nodded, "I know I should've come to you, but, she has so many trust issues, I—"

"Remy, what kind of help?"

"She thinks Dallas isn't who she says she is, she thinks…" the X-man paused, wondering if he should be discussing the matter in his southern belle's absence. Would Rogue forgive him if he gave up her theory without her permission? Surely she wanted Xavier to know all of this. He'd gone to her room earlier, but received no answer when he knocked. And felt a surge of urgency since DeShaduw's awkward visit to his quarters.

"She thinks…" The Professor encouraged him to finish.

"She tinks Dallas has been trying to pin that murder on her. The one of the kid from her high school." The Cajun revealed the thumb drive DeShaduw had surrendered to him the night before, "here," he said, "everything on here. It's… it's everything you'd need to know." He set it on Xiaver's desk, watching the man retrieve it.

"I will look into this immediately," Charles nodded, "thank you, Gambit."

"This place," Remy started, "they are selling mutant profiles." The Professor sat wordless for a moment.

"You're excused for now. Please find Rogue and come back in an hour or so. I need to look into this."

A/N: Thank you for your patience. I was revamping this story back in 2012 when some tragic circumstances arose. I am making this story my priority now, though. And am planning on finishing it as soon as possible. I know this chapter was a little more bland. But I will warn that upcoming parts will start to be more adult themed. Thank you again for you reviews and patience! :)