Note: To G, Arrr, i spelt the name wrong. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll go back and change it. Sorry about that.
Recap - Kitty goes to see Rogue in her room to see if she's alright. Rogue snaps at Kitty at first, jealous when she uses Remy's first name, but apologises and is interested in what Kitty and Gambit talked about before he left. Kitty is stopped by Joseph, who knocks on the door. Kitty runs out the room. Kurt then teleports in Rogue's room and teleports her away. Gambit calls his brother Henri, asking for him to find out information on Joseph. Gambit finally opens up to his brother telling him that he's scared that if he doesn't do what he's told the bomb in the back of his heck will go off and kill people, but also he doesn't want to trick the X-Men. His brother tells him to make this the last job, but is easier said than done. Kurt teleports Rogue outside where he asks her if she likes Gambit or Joseph. Rogue tells him she doesn't like either. Kurt then asks her if she'll see Mystique with him, because she's had perditions of Rogue's death. At first Rogue says no, feeling betrayed by her brother, but gets talked into it and agrees. Kurt then teleports her back in her room and goes to collect Storm with Logan, Emma and Scott. There is a moment between Scott and Emma in the sewers as Scott helps Emma up a tunnel, but falls on top of her. Logan and Storm talk about how the Morlocks treated her well and how now she knows they can survive on their own. Rogue has a shower, letting her hair curl naturally (like in the comics), uses nude eye shadow and red lipstick, making her look beautiful. Before she can wipe it off, Joseph stops her and they go downstairs to have something to drink. The other X-Men are in the danger room with Hank. Joseph lets it slip he knows about the extra danger room session she did, and Rogue questions how he knew about it. Rogue then asks what happened to Joseph in his past. Joseph admits he doesn't know, just woke up in a hospital not knowing who he was, found Rogue and became a part of the X-Men. Joseph asks rogue if she believes in destiny. Rogue answers that she believes they can change destiny, due to having lived with Irene who can see the future. Joseph talks about if she would trust someone who lied to her then starts to say that control isn't always best and confuses Rogue by saying she'd be very dangerous and powerful if she had control. Joseph figures out that he is trying to warn Rogue about future plans and runs away from her.
Chapter 8
Storm was greeted by kind face and was amused at how Logan growled at the younger children to make them back off. He led her straight into the meeting room, where all the younger children disappeared and the older ones began to enter. Rogue was the last to enter after her brother Kurt had found her in her room and teleported her down to just outside the meeting room. As she entered she looked round for Joseph, but couldn't spot him, instead she noticed all eyes on her instead of Storm which made her nervous. Kurt guided Rogue over to sit next to him, closing the door behind her.
"Now that everyone's here-" Logan began, until the door opened and Joseph stepped in. Rogue still wondered what that conversation before was about and what part of it touched a nerve. "Alright, now that everyone's here lets get back to where we left of. Strips how'd you know Storm was in trouble." Rogue looked away from Joseph and to Logan, ignoring everyone looking at her. The truth was she didn't know. And she said just that. Logan growled, rubbing his chin. "Right, Frost, Red one of yous are gonna pair up with Rogue to find out how she knew about Storm and the other is gonna try and work cerebro. The professors been gone too long and-"
"Wait, hold on. Who said anyone could enter ma head?"
"It's just to find out what's going on around here strip. "
"Look Logan, they ain't gonna be able ta tell you anymore than ah can, 'n' ah don't want either of 'em in ma head,'n' if you force them or they try then Ah'll just block them and leave."
"And where you gonna go Rogue. The worlds falling to pieces out there. They aren't gonna accept a mutant stray without beating 'em bloodily and leaving them in a gutter."
"Logan" storm interrupted, frowning at him. She turned to Rogue with a sweet smile on her face. "I thank you rogue for informing the others where I was. Can you tell me how this dream went? How you saw it or what you saw?"
Rogue forced a smile back to storm and tried to remember something she didn't want to remember. "At first ah thought it was just a dream. Ah was just floating 'round in ma head tryna sort out ma psychics when ah just felt cold... Ah don't know what it was, but ah knew something was really wrong 'n' ah started lookin for what was makin me feel so scared and cold. Then ah heard your screams, 'n' it was like a blinding light took over ma sight 'n' ah wasn't in ma head anymore... Ah was in yours."
"Mine?" Storm gasped.
"Did you axidentally absorb jean or Emma before hand?" Logan asked
"No, ah don't think... Ah just remember seein what Storm saw and feelin what she felt." Rogue left off the part that she knew what Storm was thinking as well. She felt like a nutcase already.
"Perhaps her powers are growing." Hank suggested. While everyone seemed to accept this, Rogue looked to Joseph at this and caught his cold white eyes watching her intensely. Hadn't Joseph said something about her powers becoming more powerful?
"Fine. So strips, you saw the attacker?"
"Yeah. She was a woman with long flowing blond hair, and these light blue eyes that had a hint of red in them. She was strong 'n' had sharp claws, 'n' could heal." Logan nodded having heard the same discription from spike.
"Were they the people who tried to kidnap you?"
"No... All my kidnappers were men." Rogue said remembering what Gambit had said. That made her feel sad again. Why did he just up and leave with everything going on? Was he in trouble?
"So let me get this straight." Logan yell growled."we have people who are tryna kidnap rogue who were guessin are normise, then we got mutants after storm, then we've got this friends of humanity trash on every newsreport, and the professors missing. Did I miss anything?"
"Do you think the professor could have been like kidnapped like all those other mutants on the news reports? And what about the murderings." Kitty said in a shaky voice which broke the silence.
Storm nodded and took over from Logan. "You may be right kitty. These mutant disappearances and people being murdered may be happening in different parts of America, but they are moving closer toward us, and with this new movement of mutant haters, it makes the national situation for mutants highly dangerous. We cannot ignore these points. However my question is if the Professor has been taken by these mutant kidnappers, then how did they get to him? It is written in his own handwriting that he left by free will."
"Maybe he was tricked." Kurt said in his strong German voice, although he didn't believe what he was saying. This was the professor. He was smart and it was like he knew the future.
"Perhaps you are right Kurt. Perhaps someone forged one of the Professors friends handwriting, or invaded their email. Perhaps they lurd him out." Hank said.
"But, he would still have his powers. He would be able to contact us." Jean said.
"He doesn't have cerebro with him, so how can he?" Slashed Emma's cool voice.
"She has a point." Said Hank.
"Well whoever these punks are who took Xavier, they're gonna pay big time. Red, frost, yous two go use cerebro and find the Professor. The rest of us will check out these friends of humanity idiots and see what they're about."
"But Logan, what if the friends haven't taken Xavier? What if it was either Rogues or Storms kidnappers? It may seem more logical that we invest in there kidnappers instead of the friends."
"Listen fur ball, I've tried caughting there scent, but it ain't happened. We've got nothing to go off with these punks and I say that the friends of humanity are behind it."
"Logan, Hank makes a valid point , but I do not think we should ignore the friends Hank. I believe we should split up into groups and see what information we can find on all three of them. Jean and Emma can use cerebro to try and find the Professor, but apart from getting the Professor back home, I don't see much we can do except stay indoors together on red alert."
Logan growled, but before anyone could say anything more, there was a rapid knock at the door and jubilee entered out of breath saying "you guys are gonna wanna see this." The adults looked at each other flabagasted, before following jubilee to the front of the mansion. It was then they understood jubilees hurry. Gambit had come back to the mansion with a large package in hand. Gambit had dragged it to the front of mansion steps and threw it down, a look of anger in his eyes.
"Gambit? What is that?" Storm asked, but was cut off by a glowing wolverine as he moved to open the bag. From the bag was a man who had a black eye, he mouth tied and hands and feet bound. "You!" Logan growled pulling the man up off the ground reconsing a scent. He was dressed head to toe in black. It took Rogue a couple of blinks before she realised who it was.
"He's one of the guy who tried ta kidnap me... Gambit, where'd you find him?" Rogue finally looked up into Gambits raging red eyes. He met hers and suddenly cooled. She saw this, but was more interested in asking what was that butterfly feeling in her stomach that was so hot?
"Good question. Why did ya find him Cajun?" Logan growled from holding the scared hench man. Gambit broke contact with Rogue, feeling the warmth leave him and the never ending feeling of just being punished in the gut.
"Was headin' back south when I caught dis vermin runnin'. Thought ya might wanna question 'em. Didn't seem ta open up for moi."
"Oh yeah." Logan growled. "But you ain't off the hook yet Cajun. Your gonna follow Scott to the meeting room while I get this one locked up in the danger room."
Gambit nodded letting Logan drag the thug off. "Come on then or else I need to force you."
"There be no need for force. I'll come willingly."
"Alright then. Let's go." Scott said and began heading into the mansion, avoiding jean and Emma. Before gambit passed rogue his eyes shifted to hers. She hadn't been able to take her eyes off him. She thought that he had ran away and she was right. He just said that he was heading back home. She knew that there was something bad going on at his home, and it kind of hurt thinking that he'd rather be back there than helping out around the mansion. But she couldn't say anything. She'd already got too attached. She should have known from the moment she absorbed him that he was a player and didn't stay in one place for too long. She knew he liked chasing girls and having challenges, and she must have been the ultimate challenge. It was sad to think about, but she couldn't just let him slip in and out of her life again, if the emotions were going to hurt this much. She doubted she'd be able to cope with the feelings of finding out he'd felt again just after she got close to him again. So when he gave her a small smile that seemed genuinely happy to see her, and said, "Hello Cherie. Miss me?"
Gambit took in Rogues new make up. He liked it much better than her old make-up. Her eyes were beautifuly lit up by her eye liner and nude eye shadow and those red lips looked juiced and lush. She folded her arms, and was the first after Scott to walk into the mansion. Gambit watched her give him the cold shoulder which made him feel like someone had stuck a pin in him somewhere and was twisting it. The others went in leaving only Joseph and Gambit alone. Gambits eyes darkened as he turned around to face him. Joseph's eyes were white.
"Problem Joseph?" Gambit took two steps closer to gambit so they were stood inches apart from each other, almost as if they were sizing each other up.
"You know your roll. Don't screw up." Joseph passed Gambit just as Scott had come back to get him. Gambit smiled satisfied that Joseph wasn't likely now to bother him. He turned and followed Scott inside the mansion.
XXXXX
A few hours later, gambit had been sat shuffling cards in the meeting room with Scott babysitting him along with a few other mutants popping in and out every now and then. In the danger room jean and Emma had tried to get information from the mans mind, but not gotten anything. Logan had the guy bloodily, and storm had to pull him away from him. Logan sighed heavily as he and storm stepped outside the danger room.
"Still nothin'. Guy doesn't even know the name of the guy he was workin for. Just know that he's a professional thieve. I'm starting to wonder if jumbo actually did bring us back someone who tried to kidnap rogue."
"I believe him Logan and I know it's not my place, but I'm sure the professor would feel the same way I do and I believe he would be not only offering gambit a place to stay, but a place on the team."
"He ain't trustworthy storm."
"I believe he is. Look at what he's done so far. He protected rogue when we couldn't. He was appearently by her side when rogue was having...visions. And he is here now, supplying us with a source. This man may have been kept in the dark, but it is something more to go on then what we had before."
"Yeah, but how did he come across this punk? How do we know that isn't actually his own men in there he's selling out?"
"Because Logan, I don't believe that he would have the men he hired shoot him in his shoulder. I also believe if he wanted to kidnap rogue, then he would do it on his own since he had no problem doing that last time. Also...I believe he has a soft spot for rogue."
"You can't possibly mean..." Storm nodded. "Great another teenage puppy love triangle only this time it's explosions and metal instead of fiery and cold telepaths. " Storm simply smiled and shuck her head at Logan.
XXXXX
Scott was looking around the Professors office. He was sure there was something he was missing. The Professor wouldn't just take off without telling them would he? He remembered the last time when he went missing and it they found him in Jugganorts cell. He was worried that he may have gotten into trouble like that again. And he didn't like seeing Jean so upset. She was scared about these disappearances and murders and she was worried that the Professor might have been taken by these people who had taken the other mutants. There was something else he knew was making her unhappy, but he tried to ignore that.
"My my, what's a good boy like you doing being norty and looking thought somebody else's draws?"
Scott looked up from behind the Professor's chair to see Emma stood against the entrance. She was stretched out against the wall and looked intrigued with that smooth lined eyebrow raised up. Those blue eyes sparkled and when she stepped into the office, her moves were graceful. Scott couldn't help but stare at her body. She was walking around again in nothing but a tight tub top and pants with white leather boots. She had a beautiful body and he was glad that she couldn't see his eyes searching her body through his glasses.
"Scott." She asked again, which brought him into reality again. He stood up holding files in his hands. Quickly he hid them under the table trying to hid them from Emma. Her lips simply curved effortlessly.
"I'm a psychic Scott. You can't hid them from me. What have you got?"
"You know the Professor wouldn't approve of you using your powers against another mutant unnecessary."
"Hmmm, but the Professor's not here is he. That's why you're going through his draws. And I don't need to be psychic to read you Scott." She stepped closer and closer until she was leaning over the desk towards Scott. Her feet were still on the floor, but if he looked down then he would see some cleeverage, which he was sure Emma wanted. He "hmmm" doubly debating whether he should look or not, but she spoke, which was a better distraction. "Besides, you don't seem to mind when Jean enters your mind."
"She doesn't."
"Really Scott. Can you be so blind."
"Jean doesn't go through my thoughts."
"Is that true or is that what you want to believe. I've felt her enter your mind Scott. Just before she was reading your mind when you was looking at me. She's jealous of those looks Scott. And soon who knows what she'll be making you do."
"No. Jean's not like that. She wouldn't just enter my mind to see what I was thinking."
"How do you know Scott? Who do you know you can trust her?"
"Because I've trusted her ever since I met her and she hasn't betrayed that trust."
"Hmmm, but perhaps that was because she knew she had you. Maybe now her feelings are changing and she feels like she has to keep an eye on what your thinking. She's jealous of me Scott and you know that."
"She not changed."
"How do you know?"
"Because she was jealous when she thought Rogue had a crush on me, but she never entered my mine then. Oh and you should try wearing more clothes. You're hurting Rogue's feelings by walking around like that."
"I don't care what that field mouse thinks. She seems pretty occupied with Joseph. And I believe youre forgetting one thing. When Rogue was crushing on you, Jean was going out with this boy Duncan. She knew how to make you jealous. How to make you want her. But now she doesn't have that back up and she scared of losing you to someone like me."
"Why are you doing this Emma? Why are you trying to break me and Jean up?"
"I'm not. I'm just saying how it is. If you stopped denieying me and actually listen to what I was saying then you'd understand more of what was happening. But you can't can you. Because you know what I'm saying is true. I just don't understand why you won't give her up."
"I'm never gonna give Jean up ever."
"Why."
"Because I...I."
Emma moved back off the table, knowing what he was going to say, but knowing she couldn't let him say it. "See, you can't even say it. Doesn't that tell you something Scott. Doesn't it tell you that I'm right."
Just then a tall figure appeared at the door. "Scott." Jean entered, but stopped at the door way seeing Scott looking at Emma a little wide mouthed. Jean wasn't sure what was happening as she looked between them, but when Emma turned around and smiled lightly, Jean just knew she didn't like it. "What's going on in here?" She asked.
"Nothing." Scott answered too quick and got an evil look of both girls. "I was just... Looking through the Professor's files."
"Scott, you know there secrete. You shouldn't be going through those."
"What files would they be?"
Jean gave Emma a cold look as she walked up to the table and ended up standing next to her. When she looked back to Scott who was looking at her and ignoring Emma, her eyes softened.
"Scott, listen to me. You know it's not right to go snooping through other peoples stuff."
"I know, but Jean maybe the Professor found something. Discover away to help someone. Maybe if we look at what his latest discoveries for everyone was then we'd be able to find out where he's gone."
"If the Professor has gone out to find something that could help, then he'll come back once he has it. But he won't like to come back to find out that you've been rutting through his folders. Put them back Scott and if he doesn't come back soon, then we'll look at them."
Just as Scott was nodding his head and putting them away in a draw in the Professor's desk, Emma said, "Hold on. Maybe we should see what the Professor has wrote about us."
"What?" Jean gasped and laughed at the same time.
"I'm just saying if the Professor has written stuff about us then we should know what he's written, after all it is about us. Perhaps we should know what he thinks about us."
"No, Scott don't listen to her. It's wrong to know other people's other thoughts." Jean interrupted.
"Hmmm, you're one to talk. Aren't you a psychic who enters minds and finds out what people are thinking."
Jean turned on Emma and both girls seemed to be sizing each other up. "Hay, I don't purposely read other people's minds like you do."
"Darling I don't have to enter people's minds to know what they were thinking. Especially not your or Scott's." Her eyes met Scott's and Jean saw how Scott seemed defenceless against Emma. She was hating Emma more and more the longer she stayed at the institute.
"You don't know what we're thinking. And if you do then you're obviously entering our minds and reading them. So why don't you keep you powers to yourself instead of breaking the Professor's rules. If he knew then and if he was here then he'd throw you out until you learned to keep your powers to yourself."
"You see your not entirely right there darling. The Professor's to kind hearted to throw anyone out of this mansion. And second, he's not here. And presides. If he was to throw me out for reading other people's minds then that would men that he'd have to throw you out and himself. So you might want to rethink that. And you might want to rethink reading those files."
"Scott no-"
"We maybe psychic and able to read other people's minds Scott. But you're not."
"No, Scott. You know it's wrong-"
"Why are you trying to stop him Jean? Is it because you know what's in those folders already?"
"No, I do not. It's just wrong to go through files that aren't meant to be seen by us."
"Why. Why aren't they meant to be seen by us if there about us? What would the Professor be trying to hid from his students that they don't know already." With that Emma looked at Scott who seemed confused and hating the looks of both woman. "What isn't the Professor telling you Scott? Why hasn't he shown you your folder."
"Scott if you look in those folders you'll be betraying the professors trust."
"Isn't he already betraying your trust. Hasn't he done it before." Scott thought back to the insedent with Mystique and how he lied about not knowing that the principle was Mystique. Emma smiled as she saw Scott's face fall and his arms too.
"Scott-" Jean tried, but Emma interpreted."
"Well then. Looks like we can't trust the Professor after all." And left with a worked up Jean and confused Scott.
XXXXX
Rogue was in her room again. She wasn't sure now what to do. She knew Logan was interigating that thug, then he'd be interigating gambit. For some reason she felt like she should be by gambits side making sure that Logan didn't hurt him, but then she just felt so jittery around gambit. She had to stop caring about him. That meant she had to stop defending him when it came to Logan. So she stayed away from him so she wouldn't defend him to Logan, and to make it seem that she really didn't care about him. After her mind was made up about that she found herself wondering around the mansion.
Her mind fell on Joseph, wondering where he was and what he was doing. She knew he was free, but wasn't used to him no being by her side during any free time they had. She didn't realise that she was looking for him until she found him in the garden. She watched him from the kitchen window, wondering what she should say. She needed to know why he seemed distant from her lately, but before she could even step outside, Joseph sensed her watching him and flew away. Rogue swallowed down a breath and headed towards her room, wanting to be alone for this coming headache.
"Takin' a nap Cherie?" When rogue openned her eyes, she saw her door open and gambit leaning against her door frame. She sat up rubbing her head."Dunt anybody knock around here?" She muttered which made gambit chuckle. She liked the sound of it, but stood up folding her arms and taking her moody pose. "What'd you want swamp rat?"
"Came ta see ma river rat. There a problem?"
"River rat?"
"Well ya 'r' from de other side of the river. 'N' if I'm your swamp rat, your my river rat."
"If ya don't have a good reason why your really here then yeah, so ya got somethin important ta say or ya gettin lost?" Gambit didnt understand why she was being so cold with him all of a sudden. She couldn't have found out about his secrets. She was too calm for that, so what was making her act this way? He'd have to get closer to her to find out why she was unhappy.
"You reason enough cher." He grinned. Testing was the best plan he had at the moment, but wasn't sure how much good it would do. He saw rogues checks fluster an angry red and turn her head away so he wouldn't see. It made his grin wider.
"Ya runnin from Logan? If ya think ah'm gonna help ya out with him again then ya wrong. Ya ain't hiding here now get out!"
"I ain't runnin from dat puppy, but hidin out in your room doesn't seem that bad of an idea." He stepped in closing the door behind him.
"What 'r' ya doin gambit? Ah just said get out!" Rogue practacly yelled.
"Please cher, call me Remy. Dat be my real name that only moi friends can use. And the special ladies I give my time up for." He winked.
"Oh really. Neva knew ya thought Kitty was special. Or how's about jean. Thought ah heard her callin you by your first name when ah was headin up to ma room. So what'd ya class as special huh gambit. Anything that moves and wears a skirt?"
He frowned but came back with a smile, making two large, but slow stolls towards Rogue. "You jealous, Cherie?"
"What, of them bein all giggly and blushin cause the great Cajun thieve talked to them? Dream on swamp boy, now go back ta where ya came from. It's where ya were headin before, so why stop now?" Rogue said, almost as fast as quick silver. Gambit thought she was funny when she was angry. She was red in the face with pouted lips and fighting arms which she swirled around in the air, pointing to gambit at times and brought them back to her chest. She looked away again not wanting him to see the red blush in her face. she didn't notice how close he was now to her. Then something clicked inside him then as he heard Rogues last senetences. His smile vanished and was replaced by a serious face. Using his gloved fingure, he turned her chin around to face him. It was then her breath shortened as she was met with Gambits deep dark eyes that had a dancing red light that seemed to shot through her and warm her.
"Ya thought I'd left? Is dat what's made ya so upset?" She didn't answer, but it was there in her softened eyes. Noticing this herself, she pulled up her anger to cover her emotions. She tried to turn her face away, but hekept it looking at him. His eyes growingdeeper and letting down his poker face two she could see the guilt and upset he had in having to leave her again."I left 'cause I got a tip off where that thug would be. I left when you were still asleep, t'inkin I'd be back before ya woke up. I'm sorry Cherie, but when I found out I was frurious n angry. These people can't get away with what they tried to do. So I went after 'em before he left town. sides" he said now smirking him checks smirk. "Wouldn't leave without sayin good bye to moi cher?"
It took rogue a good long moment for her to remember that she was suppose to be hating him, and distancing him. But how could she keep him away after that? She would seem like such a jerk if she did, but she had to for reasons she didn't understand. And besides, how did she know he was tellin' the truth. Well maybe that guy downstairs proves it, but what if it wasn't all he was making out to she did blink back into her rage, she noticed how close he was. Using her fist, she pushed him away, and her back, only to feel the edge of her bed against her legs. "That doesn't mean that ya weren't leavin' ma swamp rat. How'd ah know ya didn't just come across the guy 'n' wanted some revenge of ya own?"
"I do want revenge. But why would I be back here if I were just after revenge?"
"Ya told me ya were gonna leave and not come back, remember? Now why don't ya really go this time, steada comin back here again." She pushed him back and turned away looking teary eyed. Gambit left so low that he really did believe Logan when he called him a low life. He was right. He was a low life.
"Cherie... I never wanted ta leave ya. I don't want ta leave, but there were things... Are things that I need ta take care of... But I'm back now rogue. 'N' it looks like I'm stayin for a while." Rogue looked to him, wondering why he was suddenly deciding to stay. Gambit picked up her question. "I'm gonna stay here with ya cher, but I can't say how long. I'm hoping to stay til we find out who these kidnappers are who wanted ya and have all of them regreating the very thought of even tryin anything... But if...things... Get more complicated than I'm gonna have ta go cher. I'm sorry I can't promise ya anything." She looked for any traces of a le but couldn't find any. She was worried that it was because he had such a good poker face that he could get away with saying he hadn't stolen the Crown Jewels, but actually have them hidden in his back pocket. But those eyes looked soft and sad. Was he telling the truth?
"Ah doubt you'll be here much longer. Logan doesn't like ya."
He laughed at that. "Wolvie didn't much like the idea of me join da team either. Stroms the woman in charge round here for now and she wants me to stick around. She already oftered me a guest room. When she and wolvie seen me before ta ask bout where I went 'n' how I found the thug, she said she'd offer moi a place on the team too, but dat was the Professors job, so she couldn't. Wolvie wasn't too happy bout her sayin that."
" so, they bourt the story ya just told meh?"
"Oui, 'cause it be true. They wanted ta know who moi contacts were, but I told dem I couldn't give any names, just tell em that it's a contact that I sort have get sources from."
"So who is this contact? Anyone ah know? Someone from the thieves?"
"Non..." Gambit looked away rubbing the back of his head. " he be...someone dangerous. Wouldn't. Don't trust him with the X-Men. He's a mad man, but he called me up 'n' told moi where to find em, so I took the information."
"Wait, if he's dangours, then why'd you trust 'I'm. Who'd you know it wasn't a trap? Ya could have gotten ya self killed."
Gambit smiled at her, taking a step closer to her again. "Ya worried bout dis old swamp rat cher?"
"No." She said too fast and looked away, holding back the blush. She was trying to make sense of everything inside her head. He'd left the mansion after getting a call from this mad man, and he went and found this thug? Did she believe that? Well Logan and Storm seemed to. Maybe she should just trust their judgement, instead of fuzzing over him. She was righting to keep her distance from him anyway. But she couldn't stop the next soft thing that came out of from her lips. "So, ya stayin'" she stated.
Gambits grin grew at hearing this question. It sounded like she'd finally come round to believing him, and he was glad about that. "Oui cheire. I'm stayin'. sides,Ya a hard woman ta leave." He stepped into her space again, wrapping an arm around her waste, as she tried pushing him away again. He didn't let go, but didnt expect for Rogue to trip over her own bed as she tried to push him away. He grinned down at her from his position on top of her. He found it adorable how her mouth formed the perfect O shape, and her eyes widened, letting him see more of their beauty. And he loved the colour red in her checks. He'd have to make her blush more often. He leaned down closer towards her, having her arms trapped underneath his chest, she tried but couldnt escape from under him. Noticing how close he was moving, she turned her face away from his saying. "Get offa mah. Do ya wanna end up in a coma."
"It be worth it, non?"
"You're unbelievable."
"I'd be anything for you Cherie" He leaned in closer, "and do anything with ya."
"Ya gotta death wish Cajun."
"I like dis position."
"Well ah don't. Now get offa me. I ain't some southen tramp for ya ta use like some other girls ya might have had back in New Orleans."
"Non, your more than that cher. But let me tell ya somethin'. I don't use woman."
"Ha, yeah right. Ah saw ya back in New Orleans. Ya kept eyeing up loads of girls and flirting with em. If you wasn't busy lyin ta me and usin me to get ya father free, then ya would have, for sure gone to a hotel room with at least one of em."
"Dat ain't true."
"Oh, so what? You're a virgin? Ah doubt that."
"It ain't what ya think."
"Why should ah believe ya? Ah neverknow when your lyin to ma or tellin tha truth." Gambit frowned as he heard this and sat up off her, to sit besides her. She sat up, but didn't look him in the eye.
"You think I'm lyin' to ya Rogue? Why would I lye to ya?"
He watched her curl up into a ball. "Why not?"
"Rogue... I haven't lied to ya bout anything. Do ya see me deniyin having slept with another woman...? Da truth is that I have had my fair share of sneakin inta different beds. I ain't really proud of it, but they were just one nighters 'n' they knew that. Do ya really think I'd force or trick a woman inta sleepin with me? Am I really that low in your eyes?" She said nothing, just hid her head in her knees feeling ashamed and believing he wouldn't trick anyone ith stuff like that. Well it's what she wanted to believe. She shuck her head and Gambit easier a little bit. He was struggling again with telling her the real reason why he'd slept with some many women. Why did it always come back to him having to hide things from her?
"Ah just... Ah can't trust ya gambit. Ah can't trust ya ta tell me always keepin things from mah." Rogue looked at him this time, and saw him look away with a look of shame in his eyes. There was a moments silence as she thought he wasn't going to answer. "What ain't ya tellin me gambit?"
"...nothin that has ta do with you or your X-Men."
"Then it's your family. We got that far. What really happened after we left ya in New Orleans?" He was silent and didn't say anything. Rogue felt a little hurt by this and tried to add up the pieces. "You were headin back to New Orleans wasn't ya? You left here ta go home. Why've ya gotta go back home when ya seem so miserable there. Ta see these people. Henri, Merci and tante? They why ya wanna get back there?" He still didn't say anything and Rogue thought she'd lost him completely. It hurt to see him like this, but she had to remember to stay distant. Of course he was going to leave again, and if she tried to get close now, he'd be gone by the hour and she'd be left hurting again. More than they both already was. He wasn't going to opening up to her, so there was really no reason for him to be here talking to her and making her feel bad. She stood up and moved to her door, opening it. "Ah think ya better go gambit. 'Fore Logan finds ya."
Gambit looked up throw his eyelashes at rogue. She looked perfect even if she was sad. He looked down to his hands in his lap again. He really didn't know what to say. He couldn't tell her anything to do with him because he was not only working for him still, but there was Joseph lurking around somewhere. If he told her anything then they'd know and she'd be in even more danger. But here he risked losing her trust. Did he even have that? Apparently not, but he was sure that there was something there. Something that made him determined to keep her safe even if it meant lying to her or having her hate him for the rest of their life's. He was going to keep her safe from this monster, so he looked up to her again, with a bit more confidence and hope about what he was going to ask for. If s he could have this one thing from her then he was sure he could do it. Keep her safe.
"Do you trust me Rogue?"
"What?" She replied looking a little confused. Gambit stood up and came to her side. she didn't move, just kept eye contact with him, feeling her breath getting stuck in her chest.
"Do you trust me?"
"Ah just told ya ah can't. Ya don't tell me the tuth. Keep things from mah."
"But do ya trust me in other ways? Do ya feel like ya can trust me even when I don't tell ya stuff. Do ya trust me to save ya life? Does your heart... Ya feelings tell ya ta trust me?" He asked again, looking serious. Rogue was lost in those eyes. What was it with people confusing her lately. First Joseph, now Gambit. Why did he want her trust? Was the trouble he was in involve her trusting him? Why? What for? Would he shut her out if she said no?
"Ah...ah don't know. Ah... What. What you gettin' at gambit."
"I need to know if you trust me rogue." He took hold of her hand in a strong, yet kind grip and held it close to his heart. "You already said that you shouldn't trust me 'cause of all the reasons why you shouldn't. But deep down, without judgement of bad things that I've done, 'n' I'm mostly likely ta do without meaning to, do you trust me? Please answer the question."
"Ah..." She though about what he was asking but didn't completely understand what he meant. Was this to do with the stuff he wasn't telling her?"Do ya trust me?"
"Oui rogue, I do."
"Then. Why won't you tell mew hats happened? What is happening?"
"Because I need to know that you trust me."
"... You're not gonna tell me, are ya."
"Please rogue. Do you trust me?" She felt his grip tighten almost in desperation and she took his reply as a no. She felt like a balloon being popped. Did he really mean what he said? Did he trust her? He sounded like he did, but she wasn't sure. But she felt if she didn't say something soon then she'd lose him forever. If he could trust her, than could she trust him?
"...yes. Yeah... Ah guess ah do." Rogue felt his grip ease and watched a breath escape him. Her was trust really that important to him. Why?
"Good." He finally said, his voice turning into a whisper. "...'n' no... I ain't gonna tell ya..." Rogue felt herself being let down so she was sinking with anger starting to fill her hurt. She tried pulling her hand out of Gambits hold, but he moved closer to her, pinning her against her door, and tightening his grip. "I can't tell ya everythin' rogue. I can tell you bits, but not here." Rogue noticed his eyes growing slightly darker while drifting around the corridors outside before returning to hers. "Too risky. Ya gotta trust me Rogue. You just said you did. Don't let that be a lye."
"Ah don't lye bout trust."
He nodded his head. "I believe ya, 'n' I trust ya. But I just don't trust-"
"Rogue." Joseph said, stepping into her room from the corridor. He looked between her and frowned at Gambit, his eyes starting to whiten. "Causing trouble again Gambit." He said. Gambit stepped in front of Rogue so he and Joseph were inches apart. He hoped he hadn't been ear wiggling on what they had just said, but if he had then he was going to make sure he didn't try anything to hurt Rogue.
"Still creepin round and storkin the belle fillie?"
"I'm not stroking her."
"Yeh right, 'n' I'm the Easter bunny."
"Stop it." Rogue tried saying, but it seemed hopeless. She tried moving I between them to stop them fighting, but Gambit blocked her out of the way.
"Why don't you go back to the sewers where you belong?"
"I'm a swamp rat, not a sewer rat. At least get the insult right if ya gonna try ta insult moi."
"You're not worth my breath or anyone else's. Rogue-" Joseph reached over and trapped her wrist in a grip that hurt. Gambit saw her wince a little and went to grip at her wrist too, making sure to keep her behind him.
"Ya ain't gettin her hommie."
"You aren't in control of her. Now back down! Rogue come on-"
"The lady doesn't wanna go with ya, so let go of 'er wrist."
"I'm saving her from your fermin."
"She needs protection' from you, is what she needs."
"Other way round Cajun. She needs-"
"What's goin' on here!" Logan yelled over the two men. He looked betweent he two men that didn't look away from each other, then saw how terrified rogue looked. Logan stepped I between the two men, grabbing gambit by the coat, and throwing his out the room, into Joseph. They stumbled back, but didn't fall over. He growled his blood curdling growl, pointing at both of them. "Both of yous stay away from Rogue and the girls dorm. Now get down to the danger room. If yous two wanna let off steam at each other, you can do it there." Both men looked at each other seeming to pay no attention to Wolverine. "GO!" He finally yelled and both headed off towards the danger room glaring at each other the whole way.
Logan turned around to face Rogue who was watching them go. "You alright kid?" She looked to him, seeming confused and worried. "Yeah. Ah'm fine. You think them battlin it out in the danger rooms a good idea?"
"Don't worry strips. I'll be maning the controls, but that doesn't mean I'm not gonna let them get hurt. They're fighting for your attention rogue." Rogue frowned and looked down to the ground. "They like ya kid. Now I ain't the one to get involved in peoples personal life's and you know that, but I don't like either of them. But it's not my chose or decition. If you...like one of them, then i suggest you tell the other it's over, or if you don't like either tell them both and if they give you a rough time, then you tell me and I'll sort em out. If you ever need me to get rid of them for ya then I will." She nodded a look of annoyance and humor on her lips. "I'm here for ya kid. Your not alone, so don't think you have to go through... Stuff alone. 'N' I ain't just talkin about your guy problems." Logan said before walking away, leaving rogue to close the door behind them and sink to the ground as she let out a long held breath. What was she going to do?