Ch. 3 – A Beautiful Stranger
Haven't we met
You're some kind of beautiful stranger
You could be good for me
I've had the taste for danger
If I'm smart then I'll run away
But I'm not so I guess I'll stay
Heaven forbid
I'll take my chance on a beautiful stranger
I looked into your eyes
And my world came tumbling down
You're the devil in disguise
That's why I'm singing this song
Bridge:
To know you is to love you
You're everywhere I go
And everybody knows
To love you is to be part of you
I've paid for you with tears
And swallowed all my pride
Chorus:
Da-da-da-dum da-dum da-dum da da da-da dum
Beautiful stranger
Da-da-da-dum da-dum da-dum da da da-da dum
Beautiful stranger
If I'm smart then I'll run away
But I'm not so I guess I'll stay
Haven't you heard
I fell in love with a beautiful stranger
I looked into your face
My heart was dancing all over the place
I'd like to change my point of view
If I could just forget about you
(bridge)
I looked into your eyes
And my world came tumbling down
You're the devil in disguise
That's why I'm singing this song to you
(bridge)
I've paid for you with tears
And swallowed all my pride
(chorus)
Marie awoke to Madonna's "A Beautiful Stranger" and chuckled at the appropriateness of the song. Yawning, she slowly staggered to her feet and looked at Logan. He was sawing logs as if he hadn't slept in years. As she turned on the coffee maker, she remembered that he did most of the driving from the Institute on down. His healing factor must not completely cover a lack of sleep. Marie heard loud cheering outside and scuffled over to the window. The early celebration of Mardi Gras was going on. She smiled, and headed to the bathroom and showered. As she got out and put on her bathrobe, the smell of java filled her nostrils. This also woke Logan. Marie chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Logan scowled.
"Nuttin, you just snore sugah." He growled at this.
"No I don't darlin.'" He quickly changed the subject. "What are you lookin' at?"
"Early Mardi Gras partyin.'"
"Well let me get ready and we'll get goin.'" He closed the bathroom door and water began pouring through the pipes. Meanwhile, Marie got her clothes out and took off her bathrobe. She put on a matched Victoria Secret sky blue satin bra and bikini cut underwear, followed by a forest green short sleeve top, and a pair of jeans. She turned on the TV as she put her Adidas athletic shoes and spread out on the bed. After a few minutes, Logan came out fully dressed and ready to go as Marie rolled her gloves up her arm. They downed a few cups of coffee and quickly gulped it down.
"Ready?" She nodded and they headed out of the room.
The young man was also up around early. He always enjoyed the Mardi Gras time of year. It always brought the out of town ladies in, especially that southern belle. He was on a rooftop, watching the main entrance hoping that she would leave via the main entrance. When it became later and later in the day, he figured she left another way. He slid down the fire escape and landed at the street level. He proceeded into the ever-growing crowd and tried to find that beautiful chere.
Marie and Logan were roaming through the French Quarter. It seemed as if the streets and alleys were overflowing with people. There were men wearing what seemed like hundreds of beads, waiting for females of all ages to show them their breasts. Marie remembered the promise Kitty and Jubes about bringing back Mardi Gras beads to them as a souvenier from her southern excursion. But she knew there was no way to do that A) with her bra on and B) with Logan still with her. So she decided to take care of A.
"Umm…Logan, ah gotta go to the bathroom. Ah'm gonna go into that McDonalds over there."
"Ok. I'll be here." She scurried into the bathroom and closed the stall door. She stripped off her top and then removed her bra and stuffed it into jeans pocket. She put her top back on, then used the bathroom. Logan was waiting for her when she walked out of the restaurant. He noticed the Victoria Secret label sticking out of her pocket, but said nothing to her. As they walked down the street, he just chuckled and looked at some of the women of New Orleans.
The
young man was frantically searching for her. He had been searching all morning with no success. Suddenly, as if by fate, the crowds parted
and it was as if the heavens opened up to reveal that southern belle that had
captured his heart. He smiled and ran
over to her. He startled them and they
turned to look at him.
"Hey bub, I remember
you." The old man said gruffly. He fumbled for the words.
"Umm yeah. I'm sorry for bumping into her at the museum." Then the man smiled.
"What's your name kid?"
"Gambit not a kid. I'm 24." Gambit looked at her. "Actually, Gambit is my nickname. My real name is Remy LeBeau chere. Nice to meet you." Logan smiled a bit. He could see they were kind of connecting.
"Well kiddies, I'm gonna let you go have some fun." He looked at Rogue. "You be good Rogue dearie." His gaze switched to Remy. "Let's meet for lunch in the sports bar in the lobby of our hotel."
"Gambit would enjoy dat. I'll even pay."
"Sounds good." Logan watched as the two disappeared into the crowd. He was off looking around at the women, and looking for a bar.
Marie was really enjoying herself. Remy, or Gambit as he insisted, was really a great guy. He knew all the joints in New Orleans. They strolled down the street.
"Can ah ask you something? Why are yer eyes red?"
"Why does that pretty chere keep her arms covered in gloves?"
"You first Gambit." He drew a deep breath.
"Well, mah petite," she glared playfully at him. He turned her down an alley. "Gambit a mutant. I charge items using potential energy and make it kinetic energy and dey explode. Like dis." He pulled out a card, the queen of hearts, from his coat pocket. Suddenly, the card flared with what looked like fire. Then he tossed it and it exploded a garbage can. "You like dat chere?" She giggled. "Now chere, why you wear dose gloves?" The giggling stopped. She looked at the ground as they returned to the streets of the French Quarter.
"Ahm a mutant too. And well, I absorb people's memories and what a friend of mine calls lifeforce. If they are a mutant, ah absorb their powers. Ah'd pick up your powers if ah were to touch you with mah bare skin." Gambit was saddened by this, but his attraction to her was strengthened. Suddenly, a man approached them.
"Hallo chere! Show me what I want to see, and I'll give ya some beads." Marie was about to lift up her shirt when Gambit blocked her arms.
"No tanks." He grabbed her arm and pulled her along. She looked at him quite upset. "Cherie, I can understand why you want beads. However, Gambit gonna take you to a long time friend, Pierre Montcalm. He is a trusted friend of Gambit and he loves to give beads." She nodded and decided to trust him. They wandered around and finally Gambit tracked down Pierre. She hoisted up her shirt and Pierre gave her enough beads for Marie, Kitty and Jubilee. They thanked Pierre, and walked back towards the hotel. Gambit was going to puit his arm behind her back, but wisely dropped it to his side.
Logan met them at the sports bar in the Hylton. He was glad to see that they had a great time. Just as the food came to the table, a man from the hotel came up to them.
"Message for you Mon Ami." Logan ripped it open, and his eyes darted over the message. His teeth were gritted as he crumpled the message and he walked out of the bar. Gambit paid for the meal as Marie picked up the note. It said:
Hello Logan…
Glad to see you're getting some R + R. How about you, me in the French quarter? Oh, and bring your little ward and if you can find that Cajun that's been harassing you, do it.
Mr. Saber Tooth
She gave the note to Gambit. They took the elevator up to the room and invited Gambit in.
"So
you know the hairy beast too?"
"Unfortunately, Gambit had a
run in wid him a few years ago over a heist Gambit pull off."
"What do you…" Rogue was interrupted as Logan chomped on a cigar.
"Well Cajun, any enemy of Sabertooth is a friend of me…"