Recap- All the X-Men except Strom, Beast, Logan, Rogue and Joseph have gone shopping for the sales before they go back to school. Rogue reveals that she cannot find the professor anywhere. Joseph brings Rogue a cup of coffee and tries to make her admit that there is a bond between them. Logan stops Joseph from pushing Rogue, seeing her distress. Lance got into a fight with Kitty and Pete after seeing them together and becoming jealous. Mystique secretly met up with her son Kurt outside of the mall to ask him to bring Rogue to her because she knows of something bad that is going to happen- she also wants to rekindle her relationship with her children. The voices in Rogue's head are acting up, but she can't understand them so goes to the danger room, where she has began a simulation without Logan's assistance.

Chapter two

Logan growled as he watched Rogue jump over walls and just miss being hit by a laser. He told her to wait, but she didn't. She was just as stubborn as him sometimes. He liked it, but then he hated to think she couldn't heal like he could and if she used that impulsiveness in a fight would she come out alive?

"Logan."

"Go ahead Hank." Logan said pressing a button on the wall.

"There's trouble at Bayville Mall. Seems our X-Men and the Brotherhood have come to a disagreement and are fighting it out. Scott and Jean are trying to calm the situation, but it seems it isn't working. And I cannot appear to get in contact with the Professor. Do you know where he's gone?"

"You don't know where he is either." Logan signed and watched Rogue again, before pressing the emergency stop. She looked up to him and seemed to complain, but he turned his attention back to the communicator. "I'll be right there Hank. Looks like were gonna have to go down there and try and calm things down."

When Logan headed out of the danger room, he was met by an angry Rogue. "Why'd you cut my section?"

"Trouble at the Mall. Brotherhood decided to lighten up the day. You coming strips?"

"...Can ah stay here."

"You're not going back in the danger room."

"Ah know...Ah just want some time off from the fighting. Is that alright?"

Logan let go of a sign. "We could really use you out there strips... But if you wanna stay, then I guess you deserve a rest. Go shower and clean up." He said as he pressed the button to go up and met the other X-Men. Of course though, Rogue wasn't finished with her workout.

"Where'd you think you're going ?" Logan growled at Joseph who he'd pasted in the corridor.

"Danger room. Is there a problem?"

"Yeah, things have kicked off at the mall and your gonna come and help calm things down. That way I can also keep my eye on you."

"Fine. I'll go find Rogue."

"No need. She's staying behind. Come on. We haven't got all day."

Joseph frowned but followed and met up with Storm and Beast, ready to go to the mall. As they left in the X-van a pair of red eyes watched them leave.

XXXXX

When she got out of the danger room her clothes were ripped and blood poured from all different parts of her body. She leaned against the wall as she came out of the now round room that was back to normal. Breathing heavily, a dizzy spell struck her, making her loose her balance.

"Easy cher." Came the voice to the arms that caught her. When she looked up she saw those red on black eyes looking down at her. At first she thought it was just her eyes playing tricks on her after that exhorting session. She thought it was a day dream taking over her sight, but once she blinked again and focused, she saw realised those eyes were real, and he was really here.

"G-Gambit..."

"Oui cherie. Ya miss me?" He smiled and Rogue felt her heart drop from her chest. He was here. He was really here...Why?

"Gambit? What are you doin here?" Rogue pulled herself up and out of his arms. She tried to turn into a fighting stand, but ended up falling into the wall again and using it to balance herself. Gambit had his arms out around her, but wasn't touching her as she swatted his hands away. She hated having to remember about her skin and having to keep people away, but she needed to do it because she didn't think she could cope with absorbing Gambit's thoughts just now.

"Easy cher, I'm not here to fight. Defiantly not when you look like you've been through a war." His eyes searched her body. The whole sleeves to her arms were missing and blood poured from cuts at the top of her arms, colouring them crimson. If Gambit hadn't had been wearing his suit and trench coat then he doubted he would have been able to hold Rogue up and not be absorbed. There were large claw marks just under her neck, red whipping mark on her stomach, her clothes had been ripped and one of her suit's legs was gone showing more blood running from the top of her leg.

"Ma eyes are up here." She said moodily. When he looked at her face, he saw how tired she looked and how she could barely keep herself up. There were deep purple circles under her eyes, which weren't her make-up. There was a little scratch on her check, but that was it for her face. Her lips were dry and she looked naturally pale, with no make-up needed. She didn't even have make-up on. He was glad, because he thought her eyes looked nicer without that purple drowning out the green in her eyes. But it seemed like the green had faded from her eyes even more and was replaced by a dark dull colour that fogged her eyes. He noticed she'd let her hair grow longer and it was now past her shoulders. He liked how she'd but her two white bands together though, so they only ran down one check. It made him want to wrap it around his figure and play with it. But one of the things that stood out about Rogue , were her very nice and very plum lips. "What are you here for?" He looked back up to her eyes, having snapped out of his trance. He couldn't help it though. She had changed a lot and was sexier than ever, even if she did look like a train wreck.

Blinking back the surprise he felt at seeing Rogue like this Gambit leaned against the wall, closer to her and ready to catch her if she fell. He paid more attention to Rogue's faded green eyes now. He wondered if something bad had happened to make them look so dull and lost. Maybe he could make her smile and bring colour back into those eyes. They looked tired and had something more in them which he couldn't figure out. He thought that he was just picking up the emotions Rogue was feeling when he finally found her, but there was something in his mind which doubted that. "Just stopping by to see how your doin' after the 'hole Mystique 'n' Apocalypse thing. But ah think it should be ya training sessions ah worry 'bout. You always beat yourself up dis badly? Or ya just tryin to prove a point that you look good, even when you're covered in blood?"

"Ah'm not beating maself up. Ah was trainin'...It just got a little outta hand."

"A little?"

"Whatever. But ain't it funny that you come check up on me just after all the X-Men left. Why ya really here?"

Gambit shrunk his shoulders. "Lucky timing, ah guess. Don't think Wolvie would think twice about cutting me up without you there to stop him if ah did run around dis mansion. ah still haven't thanked ya for stoppin' Wolvie from cuttin' me ta shreds last time."

Rogue wanted to smile at the memory of the street party were she and Gambit were accepted and treated no different from anyone else. How they walked and talked in the moonlight, but instead of the gentle light that shined over them, they had bright colours of reds, blues and purples in their eyes. How they partially had to dance their way through the parade just to get out of being pulled into the celebration. How the smell of gumbo filled her nostrils and lively music filled her ears. How she managed to smile at the feelings of being home and sharing that same happiness with someone who understood what it was like to be away from home for so long. She remembered how she'd lost him at one point in the crowd, but when she tripped up looking around in circles for him, she fell right into his chest. Those strong arms came around her and held her tighter to his chest as he grinned down at her cheekily, but then sweetly steered her out from the parade and gave her those beaded necklaces. She noticed now that he was still physically fit, but more built out and those abs looked incredible enough that Rogue just wanted to touch them again but this time rub her hands down them to know what they felt like. What was she thinking? She quickly brought her eyes back up to Gambit's who had catch her looking down at him. Crap. She had to remember how he'd kidnapped her and told her lies. She had to remember that. Gambit lied. And with her weakened state, she couldn't afford to give him a chance to try anything. But even looking at his face, she noticed a change. He'd let his hair grow out so now he didn't have that bowl cut, which made him look a little like a boys scout. His eyes seemed to be deeper and his cheek bones bolder even though he still had that goatee and a bit of stubble. He was giving her his cheeky grin again. Gambit had saw her eyes seemed to cloud and a smile seem to pull at the corners of her mouth. He thought it was good. That she was thinking of the past and how they'd had a good time together in New Orleans. But then he noticed the cloudiness go and saw her looking at his abs. Maybe he didn't need her to think about the past to make her smile. The idea's that came to mind made him grin at her, but she seemed to take it the wrong way. He saw her face being replaced with anger. Her self defence, he'd thought.

"Save it. Why you really here? What've you stolen?"

"Nothing. Ya can search dis mansion and you'll find that not one toothbrush is missing. I promise. I just come ta see ya. I thought you'd be a little more relaxed with me popping by after Louisiana." He grow closer to her. He didn't mind being close to that poison's skin of hers. Her body was worth getting close to and if her eyes sparkled at his body, then he wouldn't object to letting her touch him. Especially if it would make her smile.

"What, you mean when you kidnapped me and lied to me about your father. Why would ah feel any different to ya. Ya nothing but a...a stupid swamp rat who used me." That felt like a slap, but at the same time, he couldn't help but laugh at that nickname.

"Swamp rat, huh? Never heard that one before. That ya new nickname for me cher?"

"Don't play with me Gambit. Ah mean it Ah'm not in the mood. Ya know ah could easily call Logan back and he'll rip ya to pieces or whatever, 'n' this time ah won't stop him. Now talk. Why ya here?"

"Ya wouldn't do that Roguie. You wouldn't wanna hurt me." He seemed to lean in closer

"Wanna bet?" She said folding her arms, but still leaning against the wall. He noticed the blood from her check stain the wall as she leaned on it. It made his grin drop.

"I've told you. I wanted to see ya. Wanted to know if things with Mystique had gotten any better. I mean I heard she's alive now and dat you single handily stopped Apocalypse, which was pretty damn impressive." He said raising an eyebrow at her and giving a small smile. But he noticed something seem to spark in Rogue's head as he talked about Apocalypse. Had he hurt her? Something inside her head stung and she ended up losing her footing. Gambit caught her though and before she knew it, he was carrying her, bridle style towards the med lab, not liking how she'd turned another level of pale. She was sick and losing blood was making her ill. He needed to fix her up and fast before something bad really did happen.

"What are ya doin'? Put me down!" She weakly hit at his chest

"Non...I'm just helpin'"

"Ah don't need ya help." She said trying to hit him away again, but he just pulled her closer and the movement hurt her enough to stop her protesting. He didn't notice that he'd hurt her though and was trying to focus. He had passed the medical lab as he was searching the mansion for her. He just needed to remember his way.

"Yes Cherie. I think ya do." He hurried along until he found the med lab. He laid her down on the bed gently then dashed to the cupboards, looking for things he could use to make her feel better.

Slowly, but painfully Rogue sat up and looked down at her body. She understood now why Gambit was looking at her so wide eyed. She was a mess. There was blood everywhere. Rubbing her palms into her eyes she knew she was going to get a yelling at of Logan when he found out she continued the training session. But she just couldn't help it. She just needed to blow off steam and try and clear her head. When Gambit came back with a tray full of cotton buds, parcetamls, water and anti-deseptant, Rogue began objecting again."Why ya interested in me now? Ya wasn't interested before and ya not now. Ah swear Gambit if ah have ta then ah will drain you." She motioned towards her ripped gloves and began to take them off. Gambit saw he wasn't making the best impression, but he took hold of her arm anyway, pulling it towards him. He'd pulled up a chair next to her bedside and began wiping the blood away.

Rogue took in a breath as he grew closer to her bare arms, watching him removed the blood from her arm. She was still and scared she might end up touching him, by mistake. Yet she felt transfixed on watching him, feeling his ever so gentle hands clean her arm. She thought with those hands of his, that he'd be rough, but he was as tender as a rose petal."What 'r' ya doin'?" She asked, secretly hoping he wouldn't stop. She knew she didn't want him to be the enemy, but she had to be on guard, or else she'd never hear the end of it from Logan.

"Fixing you up."

"Why?"

"Someone's gotta do it 'n' I don't see your furry doctor here ta help."

"He's gone out to help calm down a fight at the mall. The brotherhood. You know anything about it?"

"Non. Guess you X-Men 'n' brotherhood just can't bear to be under the same roof without fightin'." He meant it as something playful, considering that she seemed to be relaxing under his touch.

"That's not true 'n' the reason ah was askin' was 'cause you did hang around with them once."

"Non, ah didn't. Ah just gave them messages from Magneto."

"So what? You're his messenger boy? You working for him again or something?"

Gambit lost his glow thinking about Magneto. "Non, Magneto hasn't started the acolytes again. Not that I've heard of anyway. And what's wrong with being a messenger boy?"

"Nothing. You just don't seem the type to be someone's lap dog, but then again."

"Hay, ah ain't Mags lapdog."

"Whatever ya say, swamp rat." Rogue looked away from Gambit, amused that she'd annoyed him. He simply shuck his head at her with a small smile, not having a comeback. He'd finished, cleaning up the blood running down her right arm, but now he needed to clean the wound. Dipping the cotton bud in the medicine now he started dabbing the cuts. Hearing Rogue's gasp and seeing her gritted teeth told gambit he'd hurt her. "Sorry." He replied in seeing her face. "You OK?"

He did look sorry, but he might just have been pulling his poker face up. "Never better. So if ya not here for Magneto, then why are ya here?"

"That be my business." He said getting tired of hearing Magneto's name. Why didn't he figure out that she'd be asking all these questions he didn't want to answer?

She saw that he wanted to avoid Magneto and she was willing to drop the subject on him, but still. She need to know why he was here. "Ah knew it. So ya've not just stopped by to see me. Are you workin' for the thieves again?"

Gambit looked up and gave rogue a shining dark look, seeing that she'd made another wrong move. It made her quiet but she didn't back down. "Listen Rogue, I'm not lyin' to ya. Look, ya helped me out back in New Orleans after you found out ah did lie to ya and we got close didn't we? Found out we've got a few things in common-"

"Yeah, bad upbringings. Nothing else." She wasn't sure why she cut him off. Maybe because she knew what he was saying was true, but she couldn't let him think that they were close. He might use it against her.

"If ya just let me finish instead on being impatient and jumping ahead then ah might be able to explain thing." She folded her arms together moodily and was quiet after that. Gambit started working on her leg, after she moved her arm away. "When ya left New Orleans with the X-Men, I ended up goin' back to the thieves with Jean-Luc..."

That seemed pretty open. But would he open up anymore to her? "Ah thought you didn't like em."

"I don't like Jean-Luc. But the other thieves, I don't mind that much. Ma brother Henri. He's handie, funny and loyal, but still an idiot. Then there's his wife, Merci. She's one sweet hearted belle fillie. She hates it when Henri tries to make fun of moi, so she yells at him for it. Sometimes ah make Herni make fun of moi, so that Merci can yell at him. But they're the happiest couple I've ever seen." Rogue smiled. It sounded right that Gambit was a joker and trouble causer. "And then there's Tante Mason. That sweet old deer can see right through me and always knows if there's something wrong. She's wise and helped me out offa whole lotta jams." Rogue liked seeing his smile when he talked about his family. She wondered if she had ever smiled when describing her family. But more she was thinking of how open Gambit was being with her. "There the reason ah stayed for a bit."

"A little bit?" she asked softly. Gambit didn't answer and had his poker face on, but from him not answering Rogue could tell that something bad had happened. Something that made him sad. He was thinking of the past. Rogue saw his darkening eyes and knew that whatever happened with and after his family he didn't want to talk about it. She recognised the look from herself. But still, did she need to know? "So... Why ya back here then if ya were so happy with your family? Something go wrong?"

"I ain't got anythin' goin' against the X-Men or you alright. ah'm just passin' by 'n' minding my own business."

She nodded her head and let his anger slide since he'd opened up to her about something that seemed to pain him. Whatever he was thinking about was making him dark. "All ah meant was, why ya back here wasting ya time with mah, when you were happy with ya family?"

He looked up to Rogue's eyes and noticed the softer reply. The understanding behind them. He saw that she knew that he didn't want to be questioned about his past or reasons for being there and that she'd given him a sort of exit of an explanation for why he was back in town. He felt a little bad for snapping at her now, but he guessed she had a right to know why he was really there. He was gonna end up telling her anyway. It was the only reason he had travelled to Bayville really. Just to give her a message. Just to see her. He thought back to how she'd been haunting his mind ever since she had left New Orleans. He'd wondered what she would do and how things would go down with her family. Wondered what she would tell the X-Men. Wondered if she wondered about him. Hell, he'd read every newspaper she was in and watched the news reporter speaking of a girl with white strips save the world from the evil mutant, Apocalypse. Only, he didn't realise how much he had become interested in Rogue until he started imagining her lying beside him, when he was with other women. Sure she had a beautiful body and fiery personality, but why couldn't he just forgot about her and move on like he normally did? He brought it down to his and her having their upbringings in common, and that that was the only reason he felt connected to her and thought about her as much as he did. But he didn't notice either that the way he was travelling was towards Rogue. And then he'd thought of a way to see her when he realised he was close. A reason to speak to her for at least a minute just to see if seeing her would get her out of his mind. To see her one last time. "Cher..." He said looking to her silky eyes for a moment just to capture how they looked at him hurt. Seeing her showing emotion enough to show that he'd hurt her made him feel wanted by her, but bad that he'd hurt her. He placed his hand gently on Rogue's thigh. "Ya just as important to moi as ma family. Don't go thinkin' ya nothin' special..." He wanted to push forwards and say cause you are, but he didn't want to scare her or get that close to her. He couldn't. And it hurt that he couldn't, so he tried to think of something that hurt less as he went back to cleaning Rogue's leg. "Henri, Merci and Tante ah miss. No one else from the guild... And I couldn't stay with the thieves. Not for long anyway. But there is one reason I'm back here and it's to talk to you Roguie."

Rogue felt touched that he'd said those things about her. She wasn't trying for attention or wanting anything cheesy in reply to her question, but his answer seemed just perfect. Perfect enough that it made her want to let down her guards for him, but once he said the last line she had to pull up her defences. Her eyes darkened. "What do ya mean?"

"I mean, I'm here ta tell ya that if ya ever need anything, then both me and ma father owe you a life debt." There it was. The reason why he needed to talk to Rogue. The thing that had brought them together in this moment.

"A life debt?"

"Oui. If ya ever in trouble or need anything then ya have the thieves on your side since you saved the king of thieves and the prince of thieves. That's a rare barging you've got there cher."He said winking at her and placing his gloved hand up near Rogue's thigh again, but this time he didn't stop and seemed to move more closer to Rogue's face. "'N' when ah say anything, there's nothin' I wouldn't do for you, Cherie." He winked.

Hitting his hand away Rogue said in disgust at his flirting, "Can it swamp rat. Ah don't need you or the thieves help for anything."

He smiled his charming smile and took Rogue's other arm after finishing with her leg. He was glad she didn't want the thieves help. It would save a whole lot of trouble. At least then she wouldn't have to get involved with his slimy father, Jean-Luc. "Maybe, but ya still got that offer cher, from the thieves and a prince." Placing his thumb over Rogue's palm, he pretended to kiss her hand, by kissing his thumb.

"Stop ya flirtin' swamp rat. Save it for the girl's down in New Orleans."

He smiled mockingly as he stared into her eyes. "Ain't any of those girls prettier than you cher." He knew he shouldn't be flirting with her, and risk getting close to her. But Gambit was all about the risks and he couldn't help it.

"What are ya creeping for? What do you want me ta use this offer or somethin' now just so ya don't have ta be around me?"

"Non, I like ya company. And how you blush whenever I come near"

"Ah don't blush. You just creep meh out."

"And that fiestyness ya got when you get angry at yaself cause you do blush when I come near."

"I don't."

"Sure ya don't...It's a shame I gotta leave soon really."

"Sure it is."Rogue said mockingly, but with a smile and a raised eyebrow. Gambit had lost his cheeky grin, she saw, but he still plastered a smile.

He turned back to her arm and moved on to cleaning the cuts. The silence was a little awkward. There was something that seemed unanswered. Rogue didn't want to ask why he couldn't see her again for a long time after this, just encase he made fun of her and said that she'd miss him and all that crap. So inside she thought of something else. "Where you goin' after this?"

"Don't know. I'm not suppose ta be here, but ah wanted you to know that if ever you're in trouble or need anything," he looked up to met those faded green eyes, "you got people ya can turn to."

"...Thanks, ah guess."

Having finished her arm and kissing it again, using his thumb to stop the skin-to-skin contact, he smiled and stood up. He knew that he needed to get this done and be gone before anyone got back or realised he was here. Now there was only her chest to do.

"Oh no ya don't." She said hitting his hands away. He couldn't help but try and stop his grin.

"What? You might as well let me finish cleanin' ya up Cherie."

She was blushing red as she covered her chest with her arms. "Ah don't think so. Besides, I'll be takin' a shower once ah show you out. That should stop the bleeding and clean it."

"Shower ay. Mind if I join ya?" He let his grin show this time. He couldn't help it. She had put the image of her naked and wet in his mind and it made him want to see it for real. Rogue rolled her eyes saying "NO!" and began to sit up straighter, kicking her legs over the bed. Gambit knew he wasn't going to convince her now to let him finish her off, so he threw the cotton buds back on the tray.

"Ah'll take that." Rogue said as she leaned over him and picked it up. She was wobbling in her steps from the pains and tiredness in her muscles, but she managed to place the cotton buds in the bin. Gambit admired her body as she moved over to the sink and cleaned the blood off the tray. He really did love those curves she had. He preferred curves to skinny and straight. Those hips gave her shape and a beautiful body.

"Do ya mind?"

He looked up into Rogue's eyes seeing her staring back at him, with a bit of anger in them. He smiled back in return, glad that he'd managed to put some emotion and colour back into her eyes. He leaned back in the chair, getting comfortable."Not at all." He replied with a raised eyebrow and a cheeky grin. She let out an angry moan that sounded like a growl, seeing Gambit's faecal expressions. "Come on cher. Ya gotta appreciate the beauty you've got and dat's exactly what I'm doin'."

"Shut ya mouth swamp rat and get outta ma home."

Gambit's smile seemed to turn to a sad smile as his eyes shifted from Rogue's eyes to the clock on the wall. She was right. It was time for him to go. He got up and moved over to Rogue, wrapping his arms around her hips, pulling her closer to his chest and resting his chin on the fabric she still had left covering her shoulder. "Ya right. Time for moi to go Roguie. It's been wonderful seeing you though."

Rogue dropped the tray in the sink and began untangling his arms, mad that he was stupid enough to hug her when she barely had any clothes on. "Ah know ya goin' cause ah just told ya to, or else ah'd kick ya out maself." She thought he was going to be ignorant and stay since he had his wind up mood on, but she turned around in his loosened arms and looked up to his face seeing the look of sadness there on his poker face. Gambit grasped her hand swiftly as she pulled away. He couldn't let go. Not yet. He did step back to try and keep Rogue calm for as long as he could so that he could keep hold of her longer. He held onto her hand firmly not wanting to let go. It felt like if he let go then he'll be lost forever. But he knew he had to go and never see her again. He'd done his part in making sure that she was safe and had people looking after her since he couldn't, but he knew he would still miss hiding in a tree from her and watching her walk home from school. He'd miss jumping over the mansion walls and getting past security just to watch her sleep at night. This was of course all before he kidnapped her, but the memories were still fresh in his memories. There were times he found it boring watching her look so unhappy and he just wanted to step out the shadows and make her smile, but there were times like when he watched her push Mystique off that cliff that were interesting. She was a very strange character that he knew he'd miss. Not just because of her daily antics. But because of the connection they had. He knew she understood him when it came to family problems and being used. He would miss her fiery character and impatiens. But most of all he'd miss her smile. He'd miss those faded green eyes that looked like they'd gained a little colour in them over the past half hour. He still didn't like the dark circles underneath her eyes, but he couldn't stick around to find out why they were there. He liked how her skin looked like snow and seemed as soft as it too. He loved the white stripes in her hair, which she had now brushed over to make it one long strip. It looked better on her that way. He tried to memorize her face in that moment. The face that he'd miss seeing and knew he'd still be seeing when he rolled over in bed. He was wrong. Seeing Rogue hadn't helped getting rid of her.

She wasn't sure why he was looking at her so dreamily like and saddening, but it was as if she was getting caught up in his emotions. She remembered the first time she'd met him. He seemed cocky and charming, and sexy, but she'd never say that out loud. She remembered his silk movements and how the whole world just seemed to slow down when she turned that corner and came face to face with him. She was sure he was feeling the same thing at the time, what with those gorgeous smooth eyes he had. Then her world came crashing down on her and the emotions she felt before she bumped into him were back. And she had to through that card away he'd placed in her hand before it exploded. Still, apart from him trying to kill her, it seemed like a nice first meeting. But now, it felt like it was the last few moments they would ever have together. It made her feel sad. She knew she didn't trust him or wasn't suppose to after he'd kidnapped and lied to her, but they seemed to have so much in common. And she wanted to know more about him. Find out if what he was saying was true. That they did have more in common than just messed up families. She really did hope that it wasn't just Mystique keeping them together, which is why her mouth went into gear before her brain and she asked, "Will ah see you again?"

He finally saw his upset look reflected back to him through Rogue's eyes. He guessed he must have been hurting more than he thought, but why? She was just a girl with similar problems to him. He had to remember that's all she was. A fillie. A belle fille. He barely knew the girl. He was lucky getting out early before he could actually make a relationship with her and have it really hurt to leave her. Besides, they couldn't do anything physical. That would put off the mood big time seen he wanted to do so many things with that body she had. They were lucky he was going. It was for the best. He pulled up his poker face, placing a cheeky grin there and saw Rogue's expression drop and after a few blinks she wasn't feeling his emotions anymore. It must have been his empathy which was causing her to act this way, but she did't know about it. He cursed it for just those few moments, but kept his smile up knowing it'd be easier this way.

But she knew it was a fake one. "Ya gonna miss me cher?"

"No...Ah was just wondering."

"...I don't think you'll have to worry about seeing me again cher. But like ah said, if ya ever need de thieves." Raising her hand to his lips again he kissed it, using his thumb to stop from touching her bare skin. Then, he let her go.

As he turned and hurried out of the med lab, Rogue followed him upstairs to a bedroom with an open window. He climbed onto the balcony, but before he jumped down and ran off he called back to Rogue. "You gonna follow me outta here too?"

"No, just watchin ya go." She was leaning against the window frame watching Gambit. She didn't know really why she'd followed him. Maybe she was just making sure he did leave the mansion. But the suspense for him to go was killing her. He felt all these sad emotions coming from Rogue and knew that his final moments had to be something that would keep her strong. Climbing down from the balcony he came to stand tall in front of Rogue again. Swiftly he wrapped one arm around her lower back and the other he used to pull Rogue's head closer to him. Before their skin could touch, he lowered her head so that he was kissing her hair. She was stiff and didn't move underneath him. Instead she just stayed cuddled up to him for a moment until she heard his last words.

"Stay safe, moi cher." And with that he jumped down from the window and ran off towards the wall, with Rogue watching after him.

XXXXX

"Sir, he's left."

Said the man. He was one of the people watching the mansion. He used his binoculars to watch the boy and the Rogue say goodbye to each other. Once he saw the boy get far enough from the Rogue, he picked up his phone and was talking the man who hider him.

"She's on her own."

"Aye."

"Take her."

"Roger that."