A few months later . . .
Rogue toweled her hair dry as she sat on the couch in front of the television. She and Gambit had just gotten back from another successful mission for the Brotherhood. Rogue sighed. Mystique was still trying to get her to accept more involved missions, but Rogue still didn't feel right about it. So far theft and reconnaissance had been all she did. She still refused to be a part of the darker missions she knew Mystique had planned. Turning on the television, she flipped through the channels, making sure the news reports didn't mention her. She didn't know why, but she still wasn't comfortable with the X-Men knowing about her involvement in her mother's illegal activities. At that thought, Rogue frowned. Why should she still care what they thought? After all, it had been almost three months since she'd left the team. Rogue knew that Mystique had been deliberately moving around to keep the X-Men from finding her, but she never said anything. The image of Logan and that other woman was still crystal clear in her mind, she didn't need to be reminded. Rogue blinked to keep tears from forming. Cursing herself for still caring she tried to focus her attention on the news.
Across the room Gambit studied Rogue. He could tell by the look on her face that she was thinking about the X-Men again. Maybe even Wolverine. Gambit smiled ruefully. He didn't know what had happened to drive Rogue back into her mother's fold, but whatever it was it had left an impression. When he'd left her at her apartment that night he'd been sure she would find a way to reconcile with Logan. She'd seemed to feel better about herself, and Rogue had always known how to get what she wanted. Gambit stood up and walked over to the couch. Gracefully swinging himself over the back and onto a cushion he turned a smile on Rogue.
"You look like y' need some company, chere."
Rogue gave a small smile. "Hey Remy."
For a moment they were both silent. Gambit sighed to himself. Her loneliness was coming off her in waves. It was enough to drive an empathic mutant crazy. Reaching over he pulled her to rest with her back against his chest. Wrapping both arms around her, he waited for her to relax and get comfortable.
"Ma chere, Gambit never known you not t' go after what y' want. Why don' you go after de Wolverine?"
"Ah really don't wanna talk about it Remy."
"Perhaps no chere. But dis Cajun says you need t' talk to someone, eh?"
"Ah tried Remy." She winced inwardly as she thought back to that night. She'd gone to that bar, knowing he would be there. She'd spent the whole day shopping for an outfit that would force him to see her as an adult and had been confidant that he would leave with her. But she'd arrived too late. Not only was Logan not drowning any sorrows about her, he had already moved on to another anonymous woman.
"Since when have you given up after only one try? Don tell Gambit you've forgotten how y' learned to control your powers?" Gambit chuckled and Rogue had to smile. When she had first joined the Brotherhood, she had been bound and determined to control her powers and poor Gambit had been cocky enough to offer his "services." She'd accepted and for weeks Gambit was in and out of consciousness as she practiced on him. Gambit joked that it was the roller coaster of love, but Rogue knew him too well now.
"Ha. Your powers haven't worked on me since, swamprat." As she reached back to ruffle his hair, Rogue felt a surge of affection. Everyone always looked down on Remy for his devil may care flirtation with women. What no one ever took the time to realize was that he had a very good reason. Gambit was empathic. He felt people's emotions. Back when he'd been unable to control it, it had pained him when people were upset. He'd developed flirtation as a means to cheer people up. When others felt good about themselves, as the object of his attentions always did, he in turn felt good. After he'd developed his control, his flirtation had stayed on as habit.
"Seriously though, Rogue. Y' have t' go for what you really want."
"Remy, Ah don't think it's gonna happen. No matter what Ah do, he'll always see me as the little girl who stowed away in his truck five years ago. Ah just wish he could see me in a romantic light."
"That can be arranged." Rogue and Gambit both turned as Mystique entered the room.
"Mama? But Ah thought you hated Logan. Why would you wanna help me?"
"I looked for you for five years after you disappeared in the Siege Perilous. When I finally found you I discovered you had already joined the other side. I knew without your memories of me I didn't stand a chance of getting you back and I hated the X-Men for keeping you away from me. I thought that by taking them out of your life I could change things back to how they were." Her eyes softened. Walking over to the couch, she sat down beside them and took one of Rogue's hands in hers. "I realize now, that like it or not, I am not the center of your world anymore. You've grown up and it's time I let you decide, truly let you decide, your own path. Would being with this Logan really make you happy?"
"Yes. Ah love him, mama." If Rogue didn't know better she'd swear she saw tears threaten her mother's eyes.
"Daughter, please understand that I only wish for you to be happy and to allow me a part in your life." Touched, Rogue nodded. Leaning in, she hugged her mother. When they parted, Mystique quickly composed herself.
"Very well. Then I have a plan."