Putting a black t-shirt on, Gambit saw the picture the girl had colored for him hanging on the mirror. He smiled as he took it and looked at it before folding it and placing it in his back pocket. The hair dryer cut off and Rogue came out of the bathroom, combing through her hair with her fingers. She made eye contact with him and smiled, adding a wink as she walked over and finished getting dressed.
"Ya gonna be up for people's condolences, sugah?" She asked, sliding her jeans on.
He nodded, watching her slip her cowboy boots on. "I can handle well wishes." He said as she walked over and took his hand.
They left their room and headed toward the stairs. Gambit paused and looked at the door to the room the little girl had lost her life in. He closed his eyes before he turned and headed down the stairs. He felt Rogue give his hand a squeeze and he looked at her and smiled, letting her know he was fine.
Heading into the kitchen, they saw the whole staff, minus Wolverine. Storm made her way over to them and hugged Gambit, placing her hand on the back of his head.
"I am so very sorry, my dear friend." She said, pulling away and looking up at him.
He smiled, taking her hands before he placed his hand on the side of her face. "T'anks, Ro." He said, letting go of her hand and walking further into the kitchen.
Jubilee and Jean got up and walked over to him, each giving him a hug. "If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to let me know. I mean that." Jean said, patting his hand. "We're here for you."
He forced a smile as his nose started to burn. The tears were coming and he couldn't stop them.
"Maudire." He said, wiping his eyes, trying not to cry as he felt Rogue put her arm around him.
"It's alright, hun." She whispered.
Clenching his jaw, he fought back the tears and cleared his throat. "Sorry." He said.
"Don't apologize, man." Bobby said.
Turning, Gambit walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup before turning and looking at everyone. He heard someone enter the kitchen and looked to his right to see Logan.
"I don' need none o' yo' shit right now." Gambit said, taking a sip of coffee.
"I just came by to say I'm sorry about what happened." Logan said. "She was a good kid and made us all smile."
Gambit lowered his head before he looked at Wolverine. "T'anks." He said, seeing Logan smile before he walked up and pat his shoulder.
"She will definitely be missed." Nightcrawler said.
Looking at Jean, Gambit let out a sigh. "How's de boy?" He asked.
Jean shook her head. "He's scared out of his mind. Shaken up." She said, looking around the kitchen at each of the X-Men. "I'm sending him to Moira MacTaggert in the morning."
"Why?" Gambit asked.
"Moira has the facilities and equipment for mutants with his power level." Jean said. "I don't want to send him off, but it's for his safety and ours."
"She's right." Rogue said, placing her hand on his back. "She can give him better attention."
"Jus' don' seem right." He said, looking back at Jean. "Him not stayin' in one spot. He don' need t' feel more like a orphan dan he already does."
"I know what you mean, Gambit." Jubilee said. "Going from place to place. It makes you feel unwanted."
"I wish the Professor would come home." Bobby said.
Jean sighed. "So do I, Bobby." She said, looking back at Gambit. "Ororo told me the little girl had a dream about what happened."
Gambit looked at Storm, then glanced at Rogue before looking back at Jean. "Don' wanna talk 'bout dis right now."
"Of course." Jean said, watching him take another sip of coffee. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up."
Turning and pouring another cup, Gambit went out the back door and started to walk the trail he would run. Hearing footsteps run up behind him, he knew it was Rogue.
"Jus' need a moment." He said, walking in the grass, letting the dew soak his jeans and shoes.
She walked beside him and took his arm. "Take as long as ya need." She said, looking up at him. "Ya want me ta leave ya alone?"
He was quiet for a split second before he looked at her. "Non." He said, taking his arm from her and putting it over her shoulder.
They walked for a while before he stopped and took a sip of his coffee. Looking up at the trees, he moved his hand to Rogue's neck and massaged it.
"I t'ink tomorrow we leave." He said, looking at her. "How's dat sound?"
"Are ya sure ya wanna leave after yesterday?" She asked, placing her hand on his chest.
He nodded. "Need to get away." He said. "Now more dan ever. I'll talk wit' Jean. Maybe she'll give us de keys to de cabin she and Scott own, eh?"
Rogue smiled. "Maybe." She said. "Ah mean, it really belongs to the professor. They just keep up with it."
"Y' know what I mean, girl." He said, smiling at her technicalities.
She kept her smile as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm excited about this trip." She said, picking lent off of his shirt. "Ah can't wait to just lie around with ya all day and not be disturbed."
"Dat's all you wanna do?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
She giggled. "Well, lyin' around happens after what ah really wanna do." She said, making him chuckle.
"See, you are a dirty girl." He said, taking another sip of coffee. "Perv."
"Oh, like you ain't a perv." She said.
"I'm de biggest perv, chère." He said, making her laugh. "An' y' love it."
"Ah ain't even gonna dispute that." She said, hugging him from the side.
Finishing his coffee, they turned around and headed back to the mansion. Walking inside, a lot of the staff members had left. Kurt, Kitty and Jean were still in the kitchen and watched as Gambit and Rogue walked in.
"I need t' talk t' you." Gambit said, looking at Jean.
She quickly stood. "Of course." She said, motioning him to follow her.
Walking out of the kitchen and into the hallway, Jean gave him her undivided attention.
"What is it?" She asked. "Is everything alright?"
"Non, but it will be." He said, looking at her. "I t'ink me an' Rogue take off tomorrow for dat trip. I need t' get outta here, anyway."
"That's not a bad idea." She said, looking down the hall at two students heading into the entertainment room. "Do you need anything?"
"Jus' de keys to dat cabin." Gambit smiled.
Jean smiled back. "Sure." She said. "I'll get them to you later this evening. Is there anything else you need? Money? Food?"
Shaking his head, Gambit put his hand up to stop her. "We don' need none o' dat. Just de keys. We ain' plannin' on goin' out." He said, seeing her shake her head.
"Just wash the sheets, and everything else, before you come back." She said, making him chuckle.
Jean smiled at him as she placed her hand on his arm and gave it a light pat before walking back into the kitchen. He followed and glanced at Kurt and Kitty, noticing Kitty's hand was resting on his forearm. Walking over, he cleaned the coffee mug he had sat in the sink before placing on the drying rack. Kitty got up and walked behind him toward the trash, patting his back along the way before leaving the kitchen.
Turning to look at Nightcrawler, Gambit smiled. "I saw dat." He said.
"Vot do you mean?" Kurt asked.
Gambit shook his head. "Never mind." He said, drying his hands off before leaving and heading upstairs.
He stopped at the top and looked at the sealed door. The events of yesterday played in his mind again. They were vivid images that he wished he could forget. Running his fingers through his hair, he turned and headed down the hall, passing his room.
Coming up on a door, he knocked and waited, not hearing anyone answer. "Gym maybe?" He asked himself as he headed downstairs and toward the next location.
Walking inside, he took a quick glance at the people in the gym before leaving and heading toward the garage. He heard footsteps behind him, so he stopped and glanced over his left shoulder.
"Who are you looking for?" A student asked, coming from the gym.
"Wolverine." Gambit said, turning to face the student. "Do y' know where he is?"
"Oh, no I have no clue." The student said, shrugging. "Sorry."
Gambit smiled. "No worries." He said, turning and continuing on to the garage.
Opening the door, he saw no one was in there and he sighed. He wished he had a bloodhound nose so he could track Logan the way he tracked everyone else when they didn't want to be found.
–
Rogue was excited to be leaving. She hadn't had a vacation in who knows how long and she was even more excited to be spending it alone with Remy. The thought that she would be coming back engaged was making her smile uncontrollably. She caught herself giggling from time to time and looked around the room as she packed her things.
Opening the closet, she glanced down at the bags she had found the other day and smiled. She wanted so badly to see what he picked out for her to wear, and what the ring looked like, but she got herself under control and closed the closet. She would find out sooner or later. She felt like a kid during Christmas time.
Closing the suitcase, she realized she had packed enough clothes for a week. Had they decided on a week? She forgot if that was the official word. Shrugging, she set the suitcase at the foot of the bed on the floor. Worse case was, she'd have to take a few changes of clothes out.
–
"Dere you are." Gambit said, walking into the danger room's control room.
Wolverine looked over his shoulder as he typed up a program. "What's up, Gumbo?" He asked.
Placing his hands in his pockets, Gambit leaned against the door frame. "I need a favor, mon ami." he said, seeing Logan turn around.
"That being?" He asked.
"I need a beer." Gambit said, with a smile.
"A beer?" He glanced at his watch. "It's barely passed noon."
"So?" Gambit asked, standing up straight. "Wha' y' say?"
Wolverine smiled. "I say let's go." He said, saving the program in the danger room's computer and walked out with Gambit. "I know just the place. Little hole-in-the-ground bar up the street."
"Sounds good." Gambit said as he followed Logan to the garage and over to the Jeep.
Hopping inside, they headed out of the estate grounds and down the street to the edge of town. Turning on an unnamed street, Logan pulled the Jeep up to the small bar. Killing the engine, they got out and walked up to the door.
"Weren' kiddin' 'bout dat hole-in-the-ground bar." Gambit said as they walked in.
The bar tender looked up and smiled. "Hey, Logan!" He said.
"Hey, Sam." Logan said, walking up to the bar with Gambit. "I brought a friend. He's had a rough couple of days."
"Sorry to hear that." Sam said. "What'll it be?"
Logan looked at Gambit. "Well?" He asked.
"A dark beer. Las' one I had taste like shit." Gambit said, taking a seat on a bar stool.
"Got it." Sam said, looking at Logan. "Usual?"
"Yeah." Logan said, hopping up on the stood next to Gambit.
"Coming right up, boys." Sam said, walking down to the end of the bar.
Gambit looked at Wolverine as he leaned his elbows on the bar, folding his left over his right. "I need t' talk to you." He said.
"Figured." Logan said, taking out a cigar and lighting it up.
Gambit watched as Logan took several drags before blowing the smoke out. "I been doin' so well stayin' away from dat an' here you are pullin' out a smoke." He said with a smile.
"I'm not pressuring you, bub." He said, taking the cigar between his right index and middle finger. "What's on your mind, Cajun?"
Sam returned and placed a glass in front of Gambit and a bottle in front of Logan. "Let me know if you need anything else." He said.
"Thanks, Sam." Logan said, taking the beer and taking a swig.
Gambit picked up the glass and took a sip. "Damn, dat's good." He said, seeing Logan smile.
"So?" Wolverine pushed. "What's up?"
Taking another sip, Gambit set the glass down. "Tomorrow, me an' Rogue be takin' a trip t' get away from all dis. Just be alone." He said, watching Logan take another drag on his cigar.
"And?" He asked. "What's this gotta do with me?"
Gambit smiled. "Jus' wonderin' if you'd let us borrow de Jeep." He said, watching Logan take a swig of beer. "Dis be an important week, mon ami."
"Important huh?" Logan asked, looking him in the eye.
"Oui." Gambit said, taking another sip of beer. "Important."
"Alright." He said, placing the cigar in his mouth. "Just fill her up before bringin' her back."
"You got it." He said with a smile. "T'anks."
"Don't mention it." Logan said, taking the cigar out and taking another swig of beer.
Gambit looked around. "Dis place be quiet, no?" He asked, looking at Sam. "Activity pick up any?"
Sam smiled. "Around seven." He said, placing napkins on the bar. "Until then, it's a ghost town."
Smiling, Gambit nodded. "I like dis place." He said, looking back at Sam. "T'ink y' got a new customer, homme."
"Glad to hear it." Sam said with a smile as he began to arrange glasses. "And your name is?"
"Remy." He said, extending his hand.
Sam shook his hand. "Remy." He said. "Can't promise I'll remember that, but I'll remember those eyes."
Gambit smiled, taking another sip. "He's like me." Logan said.
"Figured as much." Sam said, looking at Gambit. "Mutants are welcome here, so don't feel uneasy about what time to stop by."
"Never do." Gambit said, watching Logan put out his cigar swigging down the last of his beer.
"Can I get another, Sam?" Logan asked, holding the bottle.
"Sure." Sam said, popping the tab and handing it to Logan.
"How y' find dis place, Logan?" Gambit asked.
"By accident." He said, looking at Gambit. "Best accident that's ever happened to me."
Gambit chuckled and nodded as he took his glass and took another sip.
A/N: Turn of events, indeed, with the death of the little girl. Life isn't always sunshine and roses (speaking from experience) and I wanted to show that.
I'm working on some art to showcase a few of these scenes, as well. Not sure where I'll post them, but when I do I'll post a link on one of the chapter updates.
Again, thank you for the reviews and kind words. It fuels me on.