03

Disclaimers and other worthless info in Chapter One…

*** *** ***

Rogue had been working for Jacques about a month when the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen walked through the door. She tuned to Elaine, trying to form a coherent sentence, but all she could manage was, "I want."

Elaine laughed. "Honey, every woman alive wants. Problem is, he's property of Lila Cheney."

"Who?" Rogue asked.

Elaine pointed to a dark haired woman who sat at the table the handsome man had just walked over to. "Dat's Lila Cheney. She's some kinda rock star from what I hear. Pretty wild, too. Not sure how dey ended up toget'er, jus' know dat dere a hot item."

"Do they come in here often?" Rogue asked. "I've never seen either of them before."

"When Lila's not traveling, yeah, dey come in here. Her band tours a lot. Sometimes Remy sticks around when she's gone."

"His name's Remy?"

"Yeah," Elaine said. "Remy LeBeau. Some people 'round here call 'em Gambit. Fits him. He's always takin' chances—an' you'll never find 'im wit'out a deck of playin' cards." Elaine shook her head. "Man's a poster child for vice, but ya can't help but love 'im."

"He seems a little like Julien," Rogue said.

"Julien's like his evil twin," Elaine said. "Remy's a flirt, but he's harmless. Don' take anyt'ing he says too serious, he's jus' playin'. Papa loves him t'death—as if de boy was his own son."

"What do you think of Lila?" Rogue asked.

Elaine snorted. "Hate de woman. I figure Remy could do better, but he's taken wit' her. She's a wild one, an' I guess he is, too—jus' not de same sort of wild. I figure one of dese days he'll want to calm down, an' I don't t'ink she could if she tried."

"How long have they been together?"

"Year or so, I t'ink," Elaine said. "Maybe less, I don't know. Remy used t'come in here wit' her a while back, but I don't t'ink dey were a couple den. Seemed more like—associates. I t'ought mebbe dey were pullin' a job toget'er."

"Pullin' a job together?" Rogue asked.

"Remy's a t'ief." Elaine laughed at the way Rogue's eyes grew wide. "He's not a bad person, jus' trained t'steal. From what he'll tell 'bout where he came from, I figure his papa's Jean-Luc LeBeau, head of de N'walins T'ieves Guild. Remy, t'ough, he not part of de Guild anymore. Don' know what made him leave, but he's turned into a regular modern-day Robin Hood, doin' de whole robbin' de rich t'feed de poor t'ing."

"From the way he's dressed, I doubt the poor sees much of it," Rogue said.

Elaine laughed. "Hey, ya can't expect de man t'live in poverty himself, Rogue. Dis ain't Sherwood Forrest an' he's far from Friar Tuck. But Remy's a good man, wouldn't hurt anyone dat didn't deserve it—not on purpose anyway. He's de most loyal friend you'll ever make, an' he'd never desert ya. Get t'know him 'fore you go judgin' based on his profession."

Rogue nodded. "I'll do that."

Jacques came out of the kitchen and started to approach Elaine and Rogue, but he stopped as soon as he saw Remy. His eyes lit up and he went right over to him. Remy stood up, and the two reunited with a back-slapping hug. They conversed for a moment in Cajun French before Jacques motioned for Rogue to come over there. "You have t'meet my new girl, Remy," Jacques said with his ever-present grin. "She's got a fire in her belly, I can tell ya dat. Calls herself Rogue," he said with a laugh.

Remy looked down at her and Rogue felt her stomach flutter. His eyes were a sensuous combination of red-on-black, and something about his smile made her want to melt. He took her hand and shook it gently. "Nice t'meet you, Rogue," he said. "I'm Remy."

"Nice to meet you, too." Rogue said with a blush. She heard someone cough and she looked over to meet the eyes of Lila Cheney.

"Uh, dat's my girlfriend, Lila," Remy said, looking ashamed from the glare Lila was giving him.

Lila gave Rogue an icy smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Rogue," she said with saccharine sweetness.

"Same to you, Lila," Rogue said, mimicking the other woman's fake smile.

Jacques put his arm around Rogue's shoulder. "C'mon, mouffette. You've got ot'er tables t'take care of."

Rogue noticed Remy snicker at Jacques nickname for her, and she reminded herself that she really did need to ask someone what it meant. Remy sat back down. "See ya later, Rogue," he said with a wink.

She smiled. "See you later, Remy."

She walked away, but glanced behind her to see Jacques squatting down beside their table to talk to them for a moment. Rogue looked over at Lila and could tell from the look on her face that Remy was going to get the third degree as soon as Jacques was gone. Somehow the fact that she could make Lila that uncomfortable made Rogue smile. Maybe she would have to spend more time around Remy LeBeau…

*** *** ***

The following afternoon, Rogue came into work for the lunch shift. She smiled to see Remy was there, even if her fellow waitress Brienne and leaning in front of him, shamelessly flirting. And without Lila there, Remy was obviously free to flirt right back. He did it as if it were the most natural response, answering Bri's batting eyelashes with charming smiles, and making the usually cold brunette blush at whatever it was Remy was saying. Rogue rolled her eyes and laughed. The man was definitely an accomplished flirt.

"T'inkin' mebbe you could use some Cajun-style lovin', petite?"

Rogue groaned inwardly. It had been days since she's last seen Julien Crevecoeur, and somehow she'd managed to push him out of her mind. Ever since she'd come to work for Jacques, Julien had been almost relentless in his flirtation. As much as Rogue wanted to just turn around and slap him, she also knew that Julien was a paying customer and Jacques would not tolerate outward signs of aggression towards him. Anything she wanted to do on her own time or behind the scenes—such as Elaine's habit of spitting in his drinks—was completely up to her, but not publicly while she was working.

"Julien, I haven't seen you recently," Rogue said with a forced smile. "I thought maybe you were gone."

"No, I simply had some business t'take care of in Baton Rouge, but I should be home for a while now. Miss me, belle?"

"Not particularly."

Julien laughed. "I noticed you checkin' out Remy LeBeau. Don' waste your time on him, belle. You want a Cajun, go for one dat knows how t'treat a lady."

"I wasn't checkin' out Remy," Rogue said. "Now if you'd excuse me, I have work to do." She started to head back into the kitchen to let Jacques know she was there and get her table assignment for the day.

Julien grabbed hold of Rogue's arm, stopping her in her tracks. "You've been pushin' me away since we met, petite," he said in a low voice. "Why not let me show you what you're missin'."

"I know what I'm missin', and from what I've heard, it ain't much," she said, making a quick glance below his waist to indicate exactly what she was referring to.

Julien chuckled. "Den why not let me set de record straight?"

"Sounds t'me like she got t'ings pretty clear, Julien."

Rogue's gaze darted up as soon as she heard Remy's voice. She had thought he'd been too absorbed in his conversation with Brienne to even notice she was there, but apparently she'd been wrong. He was standing in front of her now, obviously prepared to even fight Julien if need be.

Julien let go of Rogue's arm. "Bonjour, LeBeau. Long time no see."

"Not long enough," Remy said with a smile. "You mind tellin' me why you were harassin' de femme here?"

Julien's grin reminded Rogue of a cat playing with a mouse. "Wasn't harassin' her, LeBeau. Rogue an' I were jus' havin' a little conversation."

"Didn't seem like a conversation she wanted to be havin'," Remy replied.

"No, it's all right," Rogue said. "Julien was about to let me go so I could get to work, right Julien?"

"Sure t'ing, petite," Julien said. "I'm gonna go sit down now. You let Jacques know I'm here."

"I will Julien."

Julien gave Remy a nod and Rogue a wink before sitting down at a table a few feet away.

"Thank you," Rogue said softly, not wanting Julien to hear.

"Anytime, chère," Remy replied.

Rogue gave him one more glance before going back into the kitchen.

*** *** ***

"Hey, Rogue, you all right?" Elaine asked as Rogue grabbed her apron and order pad.

"Julien was hittin' on me again," Rogue said.

Elaine rolled her eyes. "Mon Dieu, does dat boy ever quit? Mebbe ya could talk to Papa 'bout getting' Julien kicked out for good."

Rogue shook her head. "No, he makes your family a lot of money, and gettin' rid of him would be bad for business. Besides, Remy got him to leave me alone today—at least for a little while."

Elaine grinned. "Remy, huh? Must've been nice havin' a man like dat come to your defense 'gainst Julien."

"Yeah, he was a regular knight in Gucci armor."

Elaine giggled. "Well, if Julien gets t'be too much for you t'handle, let me know. Or jus' tell Remy. I'm sure he'd be happy t'take him out back an' show 'im why you don' mess wit' a lady."

"I take it they don't get along very well," Rogue said.

"Not at all," Elaine replied. "Julien annoys Remy jus' about as much as he annoys everyone else, an' Julien t'inks Remy's movin' in on 'is territory."

"So what, they just sit around lookin' for reasons to flex their muscles and try to intimidate each other?"

"Pretty much."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Men."

"Tell me about it," Elaine said. "Sometimes I figure we'd be better of wit'out dem. 'Cept Papa, of course."

"After life with Logan, I'd be inclined to agree with you," Rogue said. She put on her apron and stuffed her order pad in the pocket. "Well, I better get out there. What sections do I have today?"

Elaine checked a chart on the wall. "Two and four."

Rogue groaned. "Great. Julien's in four."

"Want me t'make Bri switch wit' ya?"

Rogue shook her head. "No." She smiled. "Remy's in four, too."

Elaine laughed. "Behave yourself."

"I will. Trust me, the last thing I need to get involved with anyone—especially someone as charming as Remy LeBeau."

*** *** ***

"So where's Lila?" Rogue asked as she brought Remy his food.

"She had t'work," Remy said.

"You didn't go with her?" Rogue asked.

"Didn't feel up to it," Remy said. "Lila's met'od of travel can be a lil'…unnervin' at times."

Rogue raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask what exactly he meant by "unnerving." "Hey, Remy, I wanted to ask you somethin'."

"What, chère?"

"Are you a mutant?"

Remy frowned. "Why you ask dat?"

Rogue shrugged. "Oh, it's just that I haven't met many normal humans with eyes like that."

Remy laughed. "Good point. Yeah, I am. Dat bot'er you?"

"Be a little hypocritical of me if it did."

"You…?"

"Yeah."

"What are your powers?" Remy asked.

"I can absorb other people's personalities and mutant powers through touch. Puts 'em in a coma."

Remy let out a low whistle. "Remind me never t'piss you off, neh?"

Rogue laughed. "That's probably a good idea, LeBeau. How about you?"

"I change de potential energy in an object to kinetic. Makes it explode."

"Nice power," Rogue said.

"I'll show you sometime when dere aren't so many people around. Jacques don' tolerate bigotry in here, but he wouldn't be too t'rilled wit' me provokin' somet'in' wit' a light show neit'er."

Rogue smiled. "Hey, I need to get to my other tables. Thanks again for helpin' me out with Julien."

"No problem, chère. I'm sure you're busy enough wit'out him bot'ering you."

"You're a nice guy, Remy. Lila's a lucky woman."

Remy laughed. "Not sure she'd agree wit' you all de time on dat one. I'm a handful she says."

"Something tells me she probably has a point."

"I didn't say ot'erwise."

"Still, you could be a lot worse." Rogue smiled. "Let me know if ya need anything," she said as she started to walk off.

"Believe me, chère, I will."

The tone in his voice made Rogue blush.

*** *** ***

"Mary Ellen, I know you're here, and I know you're with Pete!"

Rogue looked up as a large man came in, yelling at the top of his lungs. He stormed over to a table and picked it up, throwing it and all its contents into a nearby wall. Rogue could only guess that the frightened people who were sitting there were Pete and Mary Ellen.

"Now Jessie, I tol' you it's over," Mary Ellen said, the tremble in her voice giving away her fear despite her calm demeanor.

"That don't mean I'm takin' no for an answer!" Jessie bellowed, grabbing her by her arms and yanking her into a standing position.

"Get yer hands off of her!" Pete yelled, standing up only to still be dwarfed by Jessie.

Jessie threw Mary Ellen to the ground and started to charge Pete, but was suddenly thrown to the ground. Rogue looked on in shock to see Gambit standing over the fallen Jessie with what appeared to be a bo staff aimed at the larger man's throat. She wasn't sure where Remy had come from—he'd moved so quickly she'd barely noticed him.

"Dis, mon ami, is de restaurant of a good friend of mine, an' I'd hate t'have anyt'ing in here of his be destroyed by de likes of you. Now you gonna leave dis woman an' her date 'lone or am I gonna have t'ram dis t'rough your windpipe?"

Jessie looked up at Remy. At first he considered saying something, but the sight of Remy's almost glowing red eyes quickly changed his mind. "N…n…no…I'll…I'll go."

Remy gave Jessie a predatory grin as he let him off the floor. "Good. Now get outta here an' don' come back. I may not be so gentle next time."

Jessie ran out of the restaurant as Remy calmly went back to his table and lit a cigarette. Elaine helped Pete and Mary Ellen, making sure they were okay, and getting them a new table. Trixie and Jacques ran out of the kitchen and over to Rogue. "What happened, mouffette?" Jacques asked.

"Some guy came in here yellin' about his woman bein' with some other guy. Remy handled it," Rogue explained.

"How did Remy handle it?" Trixie asked.

"Knocked the guy down and scared the hell outta him. The guy ran out—I don't think he'll be comin' back."

Jacques laughed his deep, belly shaking laugh that Rogue thought made him resemble a red-headed Santa Claus. "Dat boy's somet'ing all right."

"The big guy threw a table," Rogue said. "Probably broke some stuff."

"Dat's fine," Jacques said. "Long as no one got hurt. T'ings can be bought again. Where's Remy? I want t'talk to 'im."

"He went back to his table," Rogue replied.

Jacques patted her on the shoulder and then walked over to Remy.

"I wish more guys were like Gambit," Trixie said with a sigh.

Rogue snorted. "Behave yourself, Trixie. Remy was just helpin' Jacques out. Besides, he's got Lila."

"I know, but dat don' mean a girl can dream."

"Go cover your tables."

Trixie glanced at Remy one last time before going back to work. Rogue tried to convince herself that what she was feeling wasn't jealousy.

*** *** ***

Rogue was scrubbing gumbo off the wall after closing when Remy walked out of the kitchen. "Hey chère."

Rogue jumped. "Dammit, Remy, ya scared the hell outta me. Didn't even know you were still here."

"Yeah, I've been talkin' t'Jacques. Sorry I scared ya. Remy forgets how quiet he is sometimes."

Rogue gave him a wry smile. "Good trait for a thief to have."

Remy frowned. "Who tol' you?"

"Elaine."

"You hol' it against me, chère?"

"As long as you promise to never steal anything from me, no," Rogue said with a smile.

Remy smiled back. "Dat's a promise."

Rogue went back to cleaning the wall. She thought back to when Elaine had told her that she thought that Remy and Lila had met while "pulling a job together." "So how did you meet Lila?" Rogue asked.

"Uh, well, workin', I guess."

"Is she a thief, too?"

"Sometimes. Musician mainly."

"Musician?"

"Singer."

"Oh. She seems like the type."

"De type?"

"The type that would want to be in the spotlight."

"You only met her once."

"I'm right, aren't I?"

Remy laughed. "Yeah, chère, you're right."

"So how long have y'all been together?"

"'Bout a year."

"It's serious then?"

Remy laughed again, only this time it had a nervous tinge to it. "What's wit all de questions 'bout Lila?"

Rogue wiped the last bit of gumbo off the wall. "I'm curious."

"I don' know how serious I'd call it. Not plannin' t'put a ring on her finger any time soon."

"You love her?"

"You always dis nosy?"

"Yeah."

More nervous laughter. "You hopin' I'll say no an' den mebbe you'll have a chance?" Remy asked, trying to regain the upper hand on the conversation.

Rogue snorted. "No."

"Den why you care?"

She shrugged. "Jus' makin' conversation."

"How 'bout you? You love anyone?"

"We're not talking about me," Rogue said with a frown.

"Can't Remy be curious, too?"

"No."

"Den neit'er can you."

"Fine. Doesn't matter to me anyway." Rogue walked past him and into the kitchen.

Remy took his duster off the peg by the door and left.

*** *** ***

Inspire me to write more! Leave a review!