The X-Men waiting outside Xavier's office jumped as a scream was heard inside followed by the sound of a chair and body hitting the floor. As one, they rushed into the office, Logan in the lead. There, inside, was Rogue standing in front of a woman lying on the floor. Storm gasped when she saw who it was.
"Mystique!"
Her exclamation was ignored by both Rogue and Mystique. They continued to stare at one another. As Mystique glared up at Rogue, Rogue smirked. "Oh come on, did you really think you could fool me after mah memories came back?"
Mystique stood up. "I had no doubt that you would recognize me. I merely assumed you would have the intelligence to wait until we were safely out of this mansion to reveal ourselves."
Rogue quirked an eyebrow. "What makes you think Ah'm leaving with you?"
Shock flickered across Mystique's face before she composed herself again. She was about to say something when Cyclops spoke up.
"She's right Mystique. Rogue's place is with us. Leave now and we won't have any trouble."
Mystique ignored him and moved closer to Rogue. Cyclops raised a hand to his visor. Rogue saw him and immediately put herself between him and Mystique. "Don't you dare hurt mah mama."
The X-Men all stared at Rogue in shock at this new revelation. Logan, who had recognized the woman's scent, winced. He stepped a little further back. Rogue noticed and for a split second pain flashed in her eyes. Logan noticed the look and realized with a start that Marie must have known. Before he could say anything, her poise was back and she'd turned away from him.
"Rogue, I feel it is only fair at this juncture that we ask you what your intentions are," spoke up Xavier. He had been watching the whole scene with his usual composure.
Rogue tilted her head in thought. "Ah have a lot of new memories now. At least, Ah have a lot of memories now that Ah didn't have a couple of hours ago. Honestly, Ah'd like some time to sort it all out."
"Of course, you're more than welcome to remain here."
"I think not. Rogue you will return with me immediately." Mystique demanded.
"Ah don't think Ah can sort things through objectively here or there, mama. Ah think Ah'll just get a hotel. Ah trust if any of you really want to find me, you'll find a way." With that, she turned and abruptly left the room.
For a moment no one moved. Finally, Mystique set her mouth in a firm line and marched out of the room, her movements practically daring anyone to try and stop her.
* * *
Less than an hour later Rogue had checked into a hotel under one of her old aliases. One thing she had recovered along with her memories was her training from Mystique. Rogue now remembered a dozen aliases and several bank accounts that were now open to her. When she'd left the mansion she'd stopped at a pay phone and called an old friend and contact. He'd pulled the necessary strings to get her money and an ID to her in record time.
Rogue laid the few belongings she'd taken from Xavier's out on the bed and went into the bathroom. Turning on the shower she made it as hot as she could stand it before stripping off her clothes. Stepping into the shower she sighed as the hot water pounded against her skin. Turning her back to the nozzle to let the heat work into her stiff muscles, Rogue stared off into space. Until now she'd held up a strong front. All those years of suppressing emotion came back and ever since she'd left the mansion, Rogue had refused to let herself think about any of the day's events. Now, with the hot water streaming down on her Rogue did something she had only done as Marie. She cried. She thought about her mother and Logan in bed together and she cried. She thought about all the friends she'd had at the mansion, who probably didn't trust her anymore and she cried. She thought of all those years that she'd gone on not being able to touch anyone again, all because she'd lost the memory of how to control them and she cried.
Images of her last battle before she'd lost her powers came rushing back to her. She and the Brotherhood had been fighting against another team of mutants. Mystique had wanted to assassinate a certain politician, and the Brotherhood was out making it happen. Things were going along fine until two mutants had shown up to try and stop them. Psylocke and Dazzler had fought hard but they were losing ground. Unfortunately for the Brotherhood, the tide turned when Mastermold showed up. Forced to ally themselves to defeat what was to Dazzler and Psylocke a greater evil and to the Brotherhood a nuisance, Rogue found herself encased in the robot's huge metal arm. As the Siege Perilous opened up behind the robot and its victim, Dazzler had taken her chance and blasted him through, Rogue and all. When she'd come out the other side of the Siege Perilous, Rogue found herself with no memory, alone in the snows of Canada. All she had was her precious green cloak, the name "Rogue" stitched inside.
After a few days walking Rogue had gained a few more insights into who she was. A few accidental physical contacts had showed her she was a mutant. By the time she got a ride to Laughlin City she knew better than to touch anyone. She'd made up the name Marie when Logan had given up his real name to her. The name had made her feel more normal than saying she was a mutant with no memory. Ironic that Logan had turned out to be almost just that.
As all the events and emotions she'd forgotten or buried came back to her with terrifying force Rogue slowly fell to her knees in the shower.
.
* * *
There were very few things in life the Wolverine did not know how to handle. He knew how to fight, how to get information, and how to survive. He had never allowed emotion to get in his way and had never been faced with a decision more complex than whether to kill or just maim his enemy. Now as he stalked around the woods outside the mansion, he found himself facing what was for him a completely different sort of problem. And he had no clue how to fix it.
Ever since he had met Marie, Logan had had a purpose. Before that, he fought, he won, he got money. If he wanted a woman, he picked one, in the morning he left. Life was simple. Then he'd taken Marie into his truck and under his wing. She was small and frail and she needed his protection. At first, it was just something he did; he made sure she was fed and warm. Then the Statue of Liberty happened. He had almost failed her. Even though he had managed to save her in the end, Logan felt he'd let her down. He'd let her get kidnapped and put on that horrible machine. Now it was personal. He never wanted her to suffer again. As he'd held her up there on the Statue he'd felt more scared than he ever remembered feeling. At that moment she had made it into his heart and the emotion he felt had been overwhelming.
He'd left to try and find his past, but he didn't want to leave Marie alone for long. He knew he had to be there to make sure nothing more happened to her. After a year he'd returned. Back at the mansion he and Marie had quickly become close friends. He wasn't afraid to hug her or hold her hand. And she'd been inside his head and understood him as no one else did. Even though their relationship was precious to him, he'd never considered making anything more. She was too young for him and even though he cared for her, he'd always satisfied his sexual desires elsewhere. As Marie got older though, it grew harder and harder for Logan to ignore that look in her eyes when she watched him. He knew she was getting older but he still thought of her as the young scared girl whose life he'd saved years ago. He didn't want to hurt her.
Logan growled to himself. Of course with his luck he ended up hurting her anyway. It was one thing to be with other women at hotels away from the girl with the crush. It was another thing completely when he had sex with her mother. Throwing himself down on the ground Logan stared off into the trees. What was he going to do now?
* * *
That night Rogue sighed as a knock at the door got her up out of her bed. She had a lot to do tomorrow and Mystique had always taught her to stay rested. As she walked to the door Rogue grabbed her robe off a chair and slipped it on over the little t-shirt and underwear she'd been trying to sleep in. Stepping up to the door to see who was there, she saw only the blank wall of the hallway. A sudden chill ran up her back. Turning slowly she started as a figure stepped up to her, causing her to step backwards, putting her back to the door. Red on black eyes smiled down at her.
"Allo chere."
Rogue breathed a sigh of relief and turned a mock glare on Gambit. "Dammit Remy, how many times have Ah told you not to do that?!"
Gambit smiled. "Happy t' see me?"
"Always." Rogue smiled as she hugged the tall thief.
As he let go Gambit noticed that Rogue seemed reluctant to end the hug. Frowning he held her at arms length. "Chere what's wrong?"
Rogue looked down. Mystique had taught her that to show emotion was to show weakness. When people knew what you cared about and how you felt it left you open for manipulation. Still, at Xavier's she had always been encouraged to express her emotions. Gambit watched as Rogue considered whether to answer him. Slowly he expanded his empathic ability. As he gently touched Rogue's mind with his power her feelings washed over him. Confusion, indecision, pain, longing, and loneliness all emanated from her in waves. Unfortunately Gambit was empathic not telepathic. He could feel emotions, not read minds. He brought a black-gloved finger up to Rogue's chin, lifting her face to look into her eyes. "Ma chere, dis thief has kept many secrets."
Nodding slowly, she led Gambit farther into the apartment. Together they sat down on the little couch. Little by little Rogue told him everything. She told him of the battle when she lost her memory, being found by Logan, living with the X-Men, and regaining her memories. After a little hesitation she even told him about her mother and Logan. Gambit remained silent, listening as she finished her story.
"For five years, y' forgot how t' control your powers?" Gambit said sadly. Rogue nodded. She blinked to keep tears from forming. Gambit sighed. "Rogue, chere, if dis Logan didn't see you for who you are and love you, wit or without your powers, he not worthy of you." Rogue just shrugged. Gambit moved to sit nearer to her. Sliding one arm around her shoulders, he pulled her closer. "Rogue," he whispered. Rogue tilted her head up. Looking into his demonic eyes, she felt herself relax into his arms. Remy leaned down until his mouth was just a hair's breadth from hers. Closing her eyes, Rogue accepted the kiss. At first the kiss was chaste and gentle, but as he felt Rogue lean into his embrace, Remy deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue in to caress her own. Rogue sighed as Gambit slid his hand down her shoulder and arm, slowly moving down to part her robe. As Rogue felt his light touch caress the heated flesh under her robe, she gasped. Suddenly she pulled back, moving away. Gambit released her and she sat there for a moment catching her breath. Finally, she chuckled.
"Ma chere, what have I done t' make y' laugh?" Gambit asked. Humor lit his eyes as he feigned offense.
"Oh Remy, has it really been so long that Ah'm fallin' for your charm?"
Gambit arched his eyebrows. "Gambit has yet t' meet a femme dat can resist."
Now Rogue outright laughed. Gambit chuckled to see her so happy. As she stopped laughing, Rogue smiled at him. "Thanks Remy. You always did know how to make a woman feel desired."
"Always glad t' help chere."
"Ah just wish Logan could've seen me in that light."
Gambit shook his head as he stood up. "The man be a fool chere if he didn't." Walking to the door he opened it. With one last smile at her he turned and disappeared. As he left the building he didn't see the figure hunched in the shadows across the street. Completely unmoving, Wolverine watched him leave.
* * *
At the mansion, Rogue was still the talk of the hour.
"Do you think she'll come back?" Ororo asked Jean.
"Who knows, Storm. She's young and impressionable. She just got back a lifetime of memories, anyone would need time to sort through something like that."
"Yes, but how do we know she'll be on our side once she's done "sorting"? Cyclops broke in. "Don't forget she was raised by a terrorist."
"I was a thief in Cairo, before the Professor recruited me Scott. People can change." Storm reminded him.
"Yes they can Ororo." The group turned as Xavier entered the room. "That's the very belief I founded this school on. Now Rogue has requested some time to sort things through but I do not think that we should give up on her by any means." Looking around the room, Xavier sighed. "I take it Wolverine has not yet returned?" Everyone shook his or her head. Ever since Rogue's departure, Wolverine had remained for the most part outdoors. Telepathy was pretty much the only way to get a hold of him now. "Ah well. One can only hope that he'll return soon. At times like this I feel our team should pull together, not draw apart."
* * *
Rogue sang along with the radio as she drove to Xavier's. She'd done a lot of thinking last night after Gambit had left. Finally she'd come to the conclusion that she'd been looking at the situation all wrong. She had her memories back, she wasn't the same person Logan had known before. He may have looked at Marie as a child, but he hadn't even gotten to know Rogue. As she'd drifted off to sleep last night, Rogue had decided that she just needed to give Logan a chance to get to know the real her. They'd been close friends before, nothing could take that away. Heck, maybe they'd be even closer now. She smiled as she pulled in the driveway. Walking up to the mansion's front door, she prepared to show Logan just how much of a woman she really was.
Taking a deep breath, Rogue entered the mansion. Not seeing anyone on the upper level, she walked around looking for Logan. When she couldn't find him, she went up to Ororo's room in the attic. Knocking softly on the door, Rogue waited for Ororo's invitation before entering.
Ororo's face lit up when she saw Rogue. "Rogue, you've returned."
"Ah'm just here for a visit for now, Storm. Actually I was looking for Logan."
"He isn't here I'm afraid. We're not sure where he is."
Rogue smiled. "Ah guess Ah'll just have to track him down then." Thanking Storm she left the mansion and headed out to her car. Getting in she headed back to her hotel. She didn't know where Logan was now, but she'd bet that she could find him after dark. All this excitement had no doubt driven him to take his aggressions out in a bar. Rogue smiled to herself. She'd find him tonight.
* * *
Logan was furious. Gripping his beer tighter, he thought over what he'd learned today. After seeing that man with the demonic eyes leave Marie's apartment, Logan had decided to do some investigating. Following Gambit to a nightclub he'd watched as the man charmed every lady in the place before losing him in the throng of dancers. Though Logan knew he probably could have found him again, he'd decided to leave. He had the information he came for. The women had called him Remy and a man at the bar had called him Lebeau. Logan growled. Remy Lebeau. He'd spent the entire day tracking down people to tell him more about the Cajun Romeo and what he'd learned did not make him happy. Remy Lebeau was the head of the Thieves Guild in New Orleans. Sources said he hadn't been seen down there for a few days. Logan didn't know what Lebeau wanted with his Marie, but he sure as hell wasn't about to let him get it. Taking a deep swig of his beer Logan tried to calm down. If he was going to go and talk to Marie, he needed to work off some of this energy. As he continued to drink, he looked around for a likely opponent. Just as he thought he'd spotted one, his view was obstructed by a leggy brunette.
"Hey handsome. Lookin' for me?" She practically purred.
Logan was about to answer when she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. The alcohol in his system combined with the sensations the bold woman was creating made Logan's head spin and for a moment he responded to the kiss. As they finally parted the woman trailed a hand down Logan's chest.
"My place or yours?" She whispered.
"Yours." Logan replied hoarsely. After all, he thought drunkenly, fighting isn't the only way to work off energy.
Standing up, they walked out the door. As they walked to his bike, something caught Logan's eye. Whipping around he saw a woman fly off into the night. She was too fast for Logan to be sure, but for a split second he would have sworn it was Marie. He sniffed the air, but she'd been too far away and left too quickly for him to pick up a scent. He reminded himself that Marie did not fly. Still . . .
Turning back to the woman, he sighed. As images of Marie paraded through his mind he remembered the last woman he'd been with. As the adrenaline cleared away part of the alcoholic induced haze, Logan walked away from the woman. Ignoring her cries of outrage, he got on his bike alone and went to find Marie.
* * *
"Blast you Gambit! I told you to win her affections, not fan her flame for that damned Wolverine!" Mystique fumed as she paced back and forth. Gambit sat at a nearby table nonchalantly shuffling his cards.
"Gambit told you, Rogue's feelings for de man are strong. She don' want dis Cajun thief."
Mystique turned a murderous glare on him. "You lie. I know my daughter cares for you and I've never seen you fail at winning a woman's affections before. You didn't even try to seduce her."
Gambit regarded her calmly, red on black eyes meeting her yellow ones. "Y' daughter is in love wit de Wolverine. Sex is not gon' change dat. Not even wit me." He added a smirk at the last sentence but the look in his eyes remained serious. Gambit knew his words were true. He didn't bother to add that he truly cared about the southern belle. As a professional he knew it was best to stay on Mystique's good side. At this point taking her daughter's side against her was not the way to do that.
Mystique held his stare for several moments. Both refused to back down and for a time it seemed as though they would both stare forever when suddenly there was a knock at the door. Gritting her teeth, Mystique turned away and went to see who it was. Picking up an energy pistol, she held it ready to shoot if the guest turned out to be foe. As her hand touched the knob the door was violently jerked off its hinges and thrown into the room. A determined Rogue strode into the room past her bewildered mother.
"Daughter you've returned." Recovering quickly, Mystique set her face into her usual mask. "I'm glad to see you've finally come to your senses. I—"
"Can it mama. Ah'm not in the mood."
Mystique was about to reprimand her for using that insolent tone, when Gambit broke in.
"Ma chere, it's wonderful to see you again. Gambit knew y' couldn't resist his charms for long" he said standing up from the table and coming over to kiss Rogue's hand. Rogue turned to glare at him, but softened at his playful smile. Mystique watched her daughter's face closely.
"Rogue, what is it?"
"It's nothing mama. Ah'm just tired."
"Den may I suggest we all adjourn to a new room?" Gambit snickered as he gestured at the ruined door. Nodding in agreement Rogue left to make new arrangements. Mystique watched her go, but decided to drop the questioning. Her daughter was back and that's all that mattered. There would be plenty of time for questions later.