AN: Sorry this is late!

Chapter 7: The Retreat

Rogue and Gambit walked along the wide, covered footpath, past lovely garden beds, beautiful overhanging trees, and a lakeside view. The trip from the main office of the Retreat to their cabin was a little long, but their cabin was reasonably isolated from the others.

The cabin had a deck out front with a spa and a view of the lake, and huge floor-to-ceiling windows. Gambit unlocked the door and pushed it open. The inside was just as lovely with minimal furniture, and a little kitchenette clearly intended more for coffee than cooking. A welcome gift basket sat on the table.

Rogue sighed as she released her suitcase handle. "This was definitely worth the drive."

Gambit smiled and let go of his own suitcase. "I think so too." He kissed her lightly. "So, what would you like to do first?"

Rogue paused then shook her head. "Not make any decisions."

Gambit chuckled. "Well, dinner's not that far away. How about we just make out until then?"

"Sounds good to me."

The Retreat had its own little cafe that was open to the public as well as guests, and it was to this cafe that Rogue and Gambit went to for dinner that night. They were seated at a table for two with a window and a view of the lake.

Their drinks soon arrived, and shortly after their dinner. Feeling a little weird, Rogue took her small rocker knife out of her bag. It felt bizarre taking her own cutlery to dine out with, but the alternative was asking the kitchen to precut her food. Sure, she had been assured that this was a perfectly acceptable thing to do, but the very idea made Rogue feel like a little kid.

The food was good and Gambit made a joke or two about stealing recipes. After a light dessert, Gambit took Rogue's hand in his and they headed towards the door to leave.

Another patron, a middle-aged woman, got up from her table with her eyes on Rogue. She approached them just as they got to the door.

"What happened to your arm?" she asked Rogue.

With tears streaming down his face, Gambit released his left hand, "I'm sorry," and then his right.

Rogue's arm exploded.

"None of your business," Rogue replied shortly.

"Well! There's no need to be rude. I was just asking!" The woman's offended tone only served to anger Rogue.

"You're right," Rogue retorted hotly as other patrons and staff turned to watch. "There is no need to be rude. Yet you still walked up to me, a total stranger, and asked me about my medical history and trauma."

The woman looked startled and opened her mouth to respond, but never got a word out.

"You don't see me asking you if anyone's tried to murder you recently, or if your recent brain transplant was successful," Rogue practically snarled at her. "Thanks for ruining my evening."

Rogue turned on her heel and practically dragged Gambit out the door with her. Gambit had to trot to keep up with her as she strode down the footpath towards their cabin. When he did, they walked in silence for a time, the cold wind blowing hard against them.

"So, how can I unruin your evening?" he asked tentatively. "Because that was a lovely dinner we had and I'd hate to see it go to waste."

Rogue sighed and slowed her pace to something a little less break-neck.

"I do not like remembering feeling my arm blow up," she said sourly.

"I don't like remembering blowing it up," Gambit replied sympathetically. "So, I got this new book, Copper and Gold about a woman named Minni the Witch. There's apparently a rogue wizard who want to destroy the world and a gold dragon involved. I was thinking we could read it together."

Rogue glanced over at him. "Read it together?"

"Yeah, curl up in bed and read it. I could read it out loud to you, or you to me. Or we could take turns…" Gambit shrugged. "Whatever suits."

Rogue contemplated that for just a moment, then said: "You know what, that's sounds great. And it also sounds like an awesome distraction. Let's do it."

"Good." He gestured with his head towards the path ahead. "You wanna hurry this up? I wanna get out of this wind."

"Yeah."

They quickened their pace and shortly arrived back at their cabin. The heat went on. They changed into pajamas, curled up together on the bed, and began to read

Rogue finished stripping off in the change room and wrapped her towel around her. She steeled herself, took a deep breath, and then walked out into the massage room. Gambit was already there, a towel around his waist, and half-leaning half-sitting against one of the two massage tables. Scented candles were burning, filling the room with a soothing aroma and soft, graceful music was playing lightly in the background. The masseurs had not yet returned to the room.

"Hey Roguey," he greeted her.

"Hey."

For a moment she relaxed and then she saw his eyes flicker over to her right shoulder and back again. It was less than a second but it was enough to make her tense and miserable.

"I don't want them staring at my residue limb," she said, and looked away from Gambit.

"Okay," Gambit replied with a shrug, inspiring a flash of fury in Rogue for treating the matter like it was trivial. "We'll put a towel over it. I'm sure there's a spare one around here we can use…" he opened up the cupboard. "Aha." He pulled out a smaller towel. "Just the thing. Why don't you lay down and I'll put this in place?"

Rogue took a deep breath and forced herself to push the fury away. This was a very easily resolved issue. Nothing to get upset about.

"Okay," she said, and climbed up onto the table.

As soon as she was comfortable, Gambit draped the towel over her residue limb and tucked it a little under to make sure it would stay in place.

"There. Perfectly hidden," he said cheerfully, and got onto his own massage table.

Shortly thereafter, their two masseurs re-entered the room. Neither said a word about her missing arm or the extra towel, and simply got to work like the professionals that they were.

Rogue didn't realise how tense she had been until she started feeling that tension being worked away. Soon enough she began to relax and then, despite the fact that it was still morning, began to feel sleepy.

Next thing she knew, the massage was over. The news caught her by surprise, and when she checked the time she realised that yes, it had in fact been that long. She must have actually fallen asleep while it was happening. Regardless, she was felt the most relaxed she had been in so long she couldn't even remember the last time.

She and Gambit changed back into their clothes and then made their way over to the bar for some fruity, non-alcoholic drinks.

"I am so glad you suggested this," Rogue said as they walked together. "I've never felt so relaxed in my life."

Gambit smiled, wrapped his free arm around her waist, and kissed her cheek. "Good. That was the idea."

It was much too cold and windy for any of the water sports offered at the lake, so when Rogue and Gambit did finally leave the main building after a leisurely lunch, they headed straight for their cabin.

As Rogue and Gambit approached the cabin, they could see someone sitting in the spa on the deck. For a moment, Rogue wondered if they had taken the wrong turn, but they were soon close enough to see the big 7 on the door. Definitely their cabin.

"This is a lovely place you have here," the man called over to them, before either of them could demand an explanation. "I might have to come here myself next time I take some time off. And have a girlfriend."

"Rubix?" Gambit exclaimed, and practically ran up the deck stairs. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"You know this guy?" Rogue asked as she stepped up behind Gambit, a little surprised that the unexpected intruder hasn't shattered her calm.

The man was black-haired, with a slim, athletic build and had left a box and a pile of clothes on the deck. A pair of shoes were sitting alongside them, one with something sticking out of it.

"Yeah, old friend of mine," Gambit replied, his eyes on Rubix.

Rubix smiled at the pair and patted the water's surface. "Come join me. The water's lovely. And we have a lot to talk about."

Rogue turned to Gambit. "There is no way I'm getting into the spa with him. I'll meet you inside."

She turned and walked inside the cabin, determined to hold onto her calm as long as possible. An unexpected visitor she could deal with. Getting into a spa with someone (other than Gambit) who would undoubtedly stare at her residue limb was completely out of the question.

Rogue slipped off her jacket and tossed it onto the bed, then picked out the chocolates from the welcome basket. She was just settling herself on the lounge when Gambit came in.

"He's getting out," Gambit said. "Sorry about this."

"What does he want?" Rogue asked, her eyes on her chocolate.

Gambit shrugged as he pulled out a towel and headed back to the door. "Said it involved both of us. I have no idea what he would be up to that would involve both of us." He reopened the door dropped the towel off and came back in.

"He's uh, he's an old friend of mine from the Thieves Guild," Gambit went on as he grabbed one of the two chairs.

Rogue looked over at him as he sat down on the chair backwards. "Didn't you tell me you got exiled?"

"Yeah. Rubix isn't really associated with the Guild anymore. He's my Reaver buddy."

Rogue's eyebrows raised. It was then that she remembered seeing something sticking out of one of Rubix's shoes on the deck. That could have been a prosthesis. "Ah." She considered for a moment. "You booked massages again for tomorrow didn't you?"

"Yep."

"Good. I have a feeling I'm going to want another one after this."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't think when I mentioned my plans for the weekend that he'd just show up," Gambit said, his face passive but his voice pained. "I won't make that mistake again."

"I'd appreciate it."

Shortly thereafter, Rubix entered. His pants and prosthesis were back on, but he was barefoot now and the towel was slung over his shoulders. He carried his box with him, and his shoes and remaining clothes were sitting on top.

"Sorry for the bad first impression, chère," Rubix said to Rogue as he set the box down on the table. "I didn't want to risk calling in advance just in case you were being watched." A pensive look appeared on his face as he grabbed the second chair. "Or if I'm being watched for that matter."

Rogue raised her eyebrows. "Watched by who?"

"My boss, or others working for him," Rubix replied as he settled on the chair. "He really hates mutants. It's made him lose all focus. He's destroying his own empire as a result. Me, I figure I'd be better off if his empire is destroyed on my terms." He grinned at the pair. "So, how'd you like to join me on a mission to break the back of the Reavers?"

Rogue caught her breath sharply. She didn't know what she expected from this little visit but that was definitely not it.

"Well, you certainly have my attention," Gambit said, and he turned his head towards at Rogue. "Care to hear him out?"

"I mean…" Rogue eyed Rubix. "I guess this qualifies as a good reason to interrupt what is supposed to be a stress-free romantic weekend. If," she narrowed her eyes at him, "you're on the level."

"Wouldn't dream of wasting your time for a gag," Rubix assured her, then grinned at Gambit. "Yours maybe."

Gambit smirked at him.

"Good to know," Rogue said, then abruptly remembered something from a couple of weeks earlier. "Is your boss Donald Pierce?"

Rubix raised his eyebrows. "Yeah. You've done your research I see."

Rogue didn't reply. He didn't need to know Emma Frost had tipped her off.

"So why do you need us for whatever this plan is?" Gambit asked.

"Well, you should be obvious. I'm always happy to have you along on a heist," Rubix grinned at him. "Pierce's home is his castle and it has a pretty serious security system. I suppose it has to be as that's where he stores all the artwork and stuff I've stolen for him the last few years, and all the Reaver paperwork: accounts, tech information, the works. My plan is to break in, steal back all the stolen stuff, and upload all the data to Wikileaks."

"Already got buyers lined up for the hot property huh?" Gambit asked.

"Some of it. There'll be a cut in it for you, both of you."

"I don't want a cut," Rogue said firmly.

"Well, we can pay you some other way then. How'd you like your own Reaver-tech prosthesis?" Rubix asked. "Once all the data's been leaked, that's going to enable current and new developers to make their own prosthetics based on Reaver tech. That's good for all of us, because it mean us Reavers—or ex-Reavers—will be able to use our good tech in public without worrying someone's going to recognise it and identify us as Reavers. It also means that those who didn't get involved, like say, your friend Lionel Galanos, will finally have access to Reaver tech."

Rogue grunted. Lionel had told her on several occasions he would love to use some of their alternatives for wheelchairs and hoped that some other developer would come up with something that didn't have the negative connotation.

"I've decided not to bother getting a prosthesis," Rogue said. It would be just another thing she'd have to learn to use and it would never equal the capabilities of her original arm. "What exactly do you need me for? You seem more interested in selling me on the idea than in telling me what you want."

Rubix took a deep breath before replying: "Pierce is a quadruple amputee, all uppers, and his home security incorporates his prostheses. I managed to steal an old set before he could have them destroyed, and I have a triple amputee buddy I can trust who is willing to utilise the three he can wear."

"Okay, I don't know much about this stuff, but I know you can't just put on someone else's prosthesis."

"You can if you have a prosthetist willing to make adaptors," Rubix replied, then grinned. "He looks completely ridiculous, he has to stand about five inches taller than he would otherwise and he definitely cannot run. But for what we need to do it works just fine. At least, as far as we can tell. We still need someone with an upper right arm amputation to wear the fourth one."

Rogue sighed. "And that's why you want me."

"Yep. Are you cleared to wear a prosthesis? Most people are by now, but then most people don't have their arm blown up so…"

"Yeah, I'm clear." Rogue didn't know what she thought about that. After having flip-flopped for months over whether she wanted one or not and finally making the decision not to, being asked to get one after all just seemed messed up.

"Great. The job's pretty simple. There's scanners that he puts his prostheses on. We just need you to put the right arm on the right panel while the scan's happening. There's also a retina scan that happens, but you don't need to worry about that. We have to use his prostheses, we can't just move the security chips to ones custom made for you. The scanner checks physical size and shape and all that."

"But just of the prostheses? Not the whole body?" Gambit asked.

"Seems so. Obviously, we're going to test it before doing the real thing." Rubix looked back at Rogue. "My prosthetist friend can work with you online to get the adaptor made. Then when that's done, you guys can have another weekend away where we can test it, and another one when we get the job done. That is, if you're willing to help?"

Rogue barked out a laugh. "I've been held hostage, and almost killed, and had to protect a friend of mine from having her mutation activated against her will potentially hurting or killing others if they had succeeded. If I can do something to stop other people from being injured or murdered or whatever, then yeah, I'm going to do it."

"Great. Thanks," Rubix said. "I brought a scanner with me so we can scan your residue limb before I go." He patted his box. "That way my prosthetist friend can get started on making the adaptor."

"You just happened to bring it with you?"

"I saw no need to waste time if you agreed," Rubix replied simply, then looked back at Gambit. "And I may also need you to run interference as well as the usual heist stuff. If something happens and we have to run, well, like I said, my buddy can't run."

Gambit nodded. "That I can do."

"Good." Rubix looked back at Rogue a sly grin. "You sure you don't want an arm? This tech has, amongst other things, sensory feedback. It's great. And the guys I know who have them can use their prosthesis almost as well as they could their original arm. Plus, I haven't gotten any phantom sensation or pain since I started using mine."

Rogue glanced at his prosthesis, then back at him. "Well, as intriguing as that sounds, I think it would just be a distraction from all the other stuff I have on my plate right now."

Rubix nodded. "I get that."

Gambit cuddled up next to Rogue on the lounge. Rubix had left not long before, having completed the scan of her residue limb. Rogue had been very reluctant to let him see what was left of her arm, but had to admit it was unavoidable given what she just agreed to. Rubix didn't comment, just went about the scan like it was no big deal, packed up and left with contact details for the prosthetist.

"You sure you're okay with this?" Gambit asked. "You don't have to do this heist if you don't want to."

Rogue was silent for a moment, then sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I don't really know what I think about it. Your friend made a really bad impression by getting in the spa and not knocking on the door like a civilised person. On the other hand…" Rogue patted his chest. "I know someone else who doesn't bother knocking and just lets himself in."

Gambit chuckled lightly. "But it's cute when I do it."

"Yes. Cute." Rogue snickered. "But I wasn't… The Reaver threat is serious, and if this can bring their, ah, reign of terror to an end, then yeah, I want in. That's not something I have to think about. Too many people have gotten hurt, and I don't just mean the victims during their robberies."

"Plus you probably like the idea of the Reaver tech being more freely available, even if you don't plan on using it?" he asked.

"Yeah, there is that, but I think that's more of a bonus. Or maybe an apology to every single innocent amputee, person in a wheelchair or missing an eye or any other physical disability who has been treated like a criminal ever since this whole thing started." Her disgust was palpable. "As if being treated like we're incompetent isn't bad enough." Rogue sighed. "And yeah, I know they did a bunch of good things too, like forcing places to renovate so they'd be more Accessible, and scaring Insurance companies into supporting them. But terrorism is still terrorism. Even if society as a whole benefited from this. I'm feeling really conflicted right now."

Gambit chuckled. "Who knows? Maybe the terrorism will continue, just on a smaller scale. What we're planning isn't going to stop Reavers from existing, it's just going to kill their central organisation."

Rogue mulled that over for a moment. "That's true…"

"And probably reduce their numbers, since anyone who can and wants to get out, will get out."

"And that central organisation really does need to be taken care of. They organised that mass prison escape last year, and the school bombings, and the attack on Forge's place." Rogue took a deep breath. "Definitely need to be stopped.'

Gambit kissed the top of her head. "So this'll be fun then. You and I going on a heist together."

Rogue smiled faintly. "Got any tips? Actually no," she cut him off before he could even open his mouth. "This is supposed to be a romantic weekend. I think I'm done talking about work."

Gambit chuckled. "I agree." He looked at the time. "We've got time before room service arrives with our lunch. Do you want to continue reading Copper and Gold?"

"Sure."

Sometime later, Rogue joined Gambit in the spa. Once again she felt his eyes land on her residue limb and flicker away again. She sighed as she stepped into the lovely hot water.

"I think I liked it better when my residue limb was wrapped up in bandages," she said glumly. "Even if I was doped up on painkillers."

"Ah, sorry." His face was the passive poker face that Rogue was trying to get used to, but his voice was apologetic. "Didn't mean to stare."

Rogue shook her head as she settled herself in the water. "You weren't staring. Besides, it's perfectly normal to look at something you don't see every day."

"Yeah, but I've been seeing it for months. You'd think I'd be used to it."

"Why? I'm still not used to seeing you with brown eyes."

Gambit flashed a grin at her. "Me neither. Though, I think they're starting to look a bit more red again. Maybe. Not sure if it's just my imagination."

Rogue studied his eyes thoughtfully. "Maybe a little." She hesitated, then asked: "You think you're ready for your powers to come back?"

He was silent for a moment, and took a deep breath before replying: "I'm trying not to think about whether I'm ready or not. That's just borrowing trouble and I don't need anything else to be anxious about."

Rogue nodded. "Fair enough. Though if your poker face is any indication, you're going to be just fine. Have I mentioned how much it drives me crazy? I hate not knowing what you're thinking."

"Aw chère," Gambit said as he shifted seats to the one next to her. "I'm a simple man. You can always be sure of what I'm thinking when I'm in the room with you."

Rogue raised her eyebrows. "Oh really? And what's that?"

"How madly in love with you I am."

For a moment all time seemed to stand still. Rogue knew how Gambit felt about her, and she was sure he knew how she felt, but neither had ever actually said the words to each other.

"I love you too," Rogue replied softly.

He leaned in and kissed her lips gently. As he pulled away he rested his forehead on hers.

"Feels good to finally say that out loud," he said musingly.

"Yeah, it does," and Rogue lifted her head to kiss him again.

AN: Copper and Gold is a real book, written by Jessica D Coplen. It is amazing and I love it, and highly recommend it if you're looking for book recs.