I don't own the x-men they belong to Marvel. I'm making no profit from this
besides smiles. I said it before and I'll say it again this is my first fic
and I hope you enjoy it.
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Everyone make note of the title Conflicting Interest because I think I will change the summary next time. As for long reviews I adore them. I go over each review word by word so I appreciate everyone who has taken the time and will take the time to review. The reviews also really have helped me to know what people like and to kinda focus some things. Honestly there where several parts that I almost cut because I wasn't sure if they worked or if people would think they were stupid but those very same scenes people have commented on enjoying. So I guess I'm not too weird. I will have to tell my family that. "G" On a side note I know who wrote the letter and I know where Rogue is although shes giving me the worst go to hell look about it so the main plot is known, it's the getting from point a to point b that's the hardest. That and finding the time to sit and write it between college, work etc. I have spent this time really trying to get everything tied together in my head so theres no mistakes. As for Joseph well I guess he died already. ****************************************************************************
The x-men team approached the club cautiously unaware of what to expect. Gambit, Wolverine, Iceman, and Storm entered the club and took in their surroundings. Gambit took mental note of all the exits and anyone who looked like a cop it was a force of habit ingrained in him from the streets to the thieves guild and now he surmised the x-men.
Their group casually dispersed throughout the club and were suppose to meet back in fifteen minutes. Gambit looked over his group who was sticking out like a sore thumb and chuckled to himself yeah were blending. Gambit outwardly appeared to be enjoying the club scene but internally he was scanning the crowd for Rogue or something that would give them a clue to the whereabouts of Rogue.
Suddenly Gambit's thoughts were interrupted when a petite brunette approached him and said shyly, "Hi."
"Hello." Gambit replied nonchalantly.
"Can I buy you a drink?" The girl said softly.
"Thanks, anyway but I'm looking for someone." Gambit said politely but he noticed her face crumble so Gambit added, "But if I wasn't I would definitely take you up on it." She started beaming in response to this and Gambit continued, "I did notice that guy over there checking you out and he doesn't seem to be with any one."
"Thanks, remember me if your ever not looking for that someone." She said seductively.
"I will." Gambit grinned back thinking to himself I still got it and if Rogue doesn't appreciate it, I'll just give it to some lady who will. Gambit watched as the lady smiled and headed over to the guy Gambit had pointed out to her and they began to talk.
Gambit milled some more through the crowd he was very aware of his surroundings but still didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. He kept hoping Rogue would just walk up laughing at them and all the trouble they had gone too but he figured that wasn't very realistic, chances were in true x-men fashion they would have to mount a huge rescue and save her from the clutches of some evil villain. Gambit watched the crowd and every now and then would look over and check up on the new lovebirds they seemed to really be hitting it off he smiled to himself call him cupid. He hoped they fared better then he had his mood suddenly went sour. Gambit pushed his feelings away he needed to stay focused he walked up the stairs to the upper level and peered of the stairwell. He didn't see anything strange he glanced at his watch it was time to start heading back to the group. Casually they all recollected and began talking again like friends at a club. Of course they were all friends at a club so it wasn't that farfetched well some were more friends then others he thought glancing at Bobby but he kept his thoughts to himself.
"Quite the club scene eh?" Gambit said.
"Yes indeed, anyone notice anything strange?" Storm asked. Their group of people shook their heads no silently causing Storm to sigh inwardly. They had nothing to go on really this could have just as easily been a trap. Storm thought ironically a trap would have been preferable because then there would be some sort of clue as to whom had Rogue.
Gambit hadn't noticed anyone watching them, maybe whoever had Rogue had just used this as a meeting place and not a base of operations. Which really wasn't going to help them because it was a club so probably most of the people who had been here the night Rogue was here wasn't here tonight. Except for maybe the bartender Gambit thought as he looked over towards the bar. The only problem with that was it would tip their hand but they didn't have much of a hand to start with.
"Hey Stormy, what about the bartender maybe he saw something?" Gambit pointed out.
"Direct approach is the best approach if you ask me?" Wolverine said with a shrug.
"That's your only approach?" Iceman said looking at Wolverine.
"Works doesn't it icecube? I don't remember you complaining anytime I've saved your ass." Wolverine said hotly.
"I've saved your ass..." Iceman started to retort but was interrupted by Gambit.
"Children, children play nice." Gambit said noticing the looks everyone around them was giving them. "Now Stormy what do you want to do?"
"It will give ourselves away." Storm paused thinking about what Gambit had said and then continued, "I too see no other way."
They walked over to the bar and waited so they could speak to the bartender. The bartender came to them and shouted over the blaring music, "What will you have?" Gambit spoke up, "A shot of."
"Gambit no!" Storm barked looking Gambit pointedly in the eye.
"What! Where here anyway?" Gambit said back. Storm shook her head no in response.
"Do you want a drink or not?" The bartender said annoyed.
"Well I do!" Someone crowded around the bar shouted.
"I'll get to you." The bartender said over his shoulder towards the direction of the voice.
"We are looking for someone who was here a few months ago." Storm began her tale and was quickly interrupted by the bartender.
"I'm no good to you then I just started working at this particular club only three weeks ago. The other guy bartending here with me he's been here for four years and he's always here you might talk to him." Without another word the bartender moved on.
"He's friendly." Iceman popped off. Gambit nodded in agreement and the x- men headed over to the side the other bartender was working to talk to him.
Storm looked at Gambit and shook her head about the drink incident with Gambit. Gambit smiled back and said, "I was blending."
"Were not supposed to blend that much. We are on a mission." Storm said back to Gambit as quietly as she could but where he could still hear her.
"I didn't get it." Gambit said sulkily. Gambit looked around the bar and noticed a bowl of nuts and got an idea, "Can I eat a peanut is that allowed boss?" Gambit said in a teasing fashion.
Storm grinned in response and said, "You may eat a peanut, Gambit." She then added, "But just one."
"Thanks your getting as bad as Cyclops Stormy." Gambit said pretending to be angry.
"Nobody's that bad." Wolverine added. The assembled x-men all started laughing when the bartender they needed to talk to walked up to them and took one look at Gambit and shouted over the music, "There you are! I still have it but I'm too busy to go get it right now. Wait over there and I'll bring it to you when it slows down. Do you want a drink while you wait?"
Gambit looked at Storm and said with a grin, "No that's alright we will just be waiting over there, thanks." Gambit and the other x-men headed over to where the bartender had pointed and waited. Gambit was completely shocked when the bartender recognized him because he never remembered being here before. Gambit looked around the bar again to be sure he was certain of it he had never been here before.
"So you know that bartender?" Iceman said suspiciously.
"No." Gambit said thinking this should go well.
"You don't know the bartender Gumbo?" Wolverine said skeptically.
"No." Gambit said.
"How did he know you Gambit?" Storm asked gently.
"I don't know. I just want to see what he is going to give us. I have never been at this club before." Gambit stated.
"Maybe you were drunk and you don't remember being here." Wolverine said matter-of-factly. Gambit nodded his head in response that was possible he guessed.
Gambit studied the bartender from afar he didn't recognize him, he was usually pretty good at remembering people too. It was announced last call and the bartender they were waiting on said something to the grumpy bartender, the grumpy bartender nodded and began clearing glasses off of the bar. The bartender they were waiting on waved at Gambit and disappeared into the back. Gambit had to fight sinking down in his seat a bit as Iceman gave Gambit an icy stare. Gambit understood why he was having hard time believing this. He would be suspicious too if it was the other way around. Who was this guy? Gambit demanded the knowledge from his brain again but it wasn't forthcoming. The guy came walking out with a package and headed towards Gambit and his group. Everyone sat up curiosity getting the better of them.
"Well here it is." The bartender said handing it to Gambit.
"Here what is?" Gambit asked cautiously, he remembered a good friend of his in the guild had been overseas and an unexpected package had arrived for him and lets just say the way he heard it they were still cleaning pieces of his friend out of that hotel.
"The package you left." The bartender said a little confused by Gambit's reaction. Gambit could feel everyone's eyes on him like he was crazy and frankly Gambit felt a little crazy he didn't remember this bar, this guy, or this package for the life of him. Maybe it was like Wolverine had said maybe he had been drunk and he didn't remember it.
"The package I left?" Gambit said stressing the I.
"Yeah, the package you left." The bartender said stressing the you.
"Are you sure it's for me?" Gambit asked frankly a little confused.
"Well you look just like the guy. Your name's Remy LeBeau isn't it?" The bartender said.
"Yeah, that's his name." Iceman chimed in suspiciously.
"Who gave you that name?" Gambit asked the bartender.
"You did! Look, is this some kind of joke? I don't have time for this I have a lot of cleaning up to do." The bartender said impatiently. Gambit watched the bartender's reaction closely and the bartender looked like he was telling the truth to him.
"Well heres the thing. I lost my memory recently and I'm retracing my steps to try and jog a memory to remind me of my identity. Could you help me out by reminding me about how I know you and why you have my package and anything else you think might help me?" Gambit asked pushing his charm up a notch. The bartender's face softened a bit and then he said, "Well I don't know you personally. You came in here a few months ago and met with some lady. You two had a huge blowout where you ended up chasing her outside. I didn't really think anything of it at the time being a bar you tend to see that sorta thing a lot but you came back inside a little disheveled and asked if I would hold on to something for you. I turned you down at first and then you insisted and you handed me a bunch of cash so I said I would hold onto it until you returned for it, you gave me the name Remy LeBeau. So here you are and here is your package."
"What did the lady look like?" Storm asked.
"She was beautiful! She really stood out to because she had her hair died with a white streak on the front of it the rest was red. I wasn't really that close to get a good look at her though."
"Could you hear what they were arguing about, bub?" Wolverine asked.
"I only heard bits and pieces, but it was something about her leaving you." The bartender said jerking his head in the direction of Gambit then he added, "You know the usual stuff couples argue about." The bartender finished thoughtfully. Gambit couldn't help but laugh internally hardly anything him and Rogue argued about was usual not that he remembered even being here much last arguing with her here.
"Is there anything else you can remember about that night?" Gambit asked afraid to hear more.
"Well you two tipped well." The bartender said remembering back.
"Nothing else?" Gambit pressed there had to be something else the bartender could tell them that didn't make him out to be a madman.
"No, I'm sorry." The bartender said.
"Did you ever see the lady again?" Gambit asked hopefully.
"No, I'm really sorry. I hope you get your memory back." The bartender said sincerely and then headed back towards the bar. Gambit turned to the others and saw the doubt and confusion on their faces he sighed inwardly he was starting to doubt his own sanity. He turned back to the package he was holding and not for the first time wondered what was inside, no doubt something else to make him look bad. But at the same time it made him wonder if maybe he had flipped out and hurt Rogue. Maybe he had blocked it he saw that on a forensics show once. Or maybe he was drunk, or possessed or both. But at the same time he just couldn't believe he would ever hurt her. Where was Rogue? Why did he remember nothing about what had happened that night? ****************************************************************************
Again everyone make note of the title Conflicting Interest because I think I will change the summary next time. Thanks for your reviews and please take the time to review some more or for the first time if you're a new reader. It does make me want to write more when I get reviews that and it makes me giddy. ****************************************************************************
Everyone make note of the title Conflicting Interest because I think I will change the summary next time. As for long reviews I adore them. I go over each review word by word so I appreciate everyone who has taken the time and will take the time to review. The reviews also really have helped me to know what people like and to kinda focus some things. Honestly there where several parts that I almost cut because I wasn't sure if they worked or if people would think they were stupid but those very same scenes people have commented on enjoying. So I guess I'm not too weird. I will have to tell my family that. "G" On a side note I know who wrote the letter and I know where Rogue is although shes giving me the worst go to hell look about it so the main plot is known, it's the getting from point a to point b that's the hardest. That and finding the time to sit and write it between college, work etc. I have spent this time really trying to get everything tied together in my head so theres no mistakes. As for Joseph well I guess he died already. ****************************************************************************
The x-men team approached the club cautiously unaware of what to expect. Gambit, Wolverine, Iceman, and Storm entered the club and took in their surroundings. Gambit took mental note of all the exits and anyone who looked like a cop it was a force of habit ingrained in him from the streets to the thieves guild and now he surmised the x-men.
Their group casually dispersed throughout the club and were suppose to meet back in fifteen minutes. Gambit looked over his group who was sticking out like a sore thumb and chuckled to himself yeah were blending. Gambit outwardly appeared to be enjoying the club scene but internally he was scanning the crowd for Rogue or something that would give them a clue to the whereabouts of Rogue.
Suddenly Gambit's thoughts were interrupted when a petite brunette approached him and said shyly, "Hi."
"Hello." Gambit replied nonchalantly.
"Can I buy you a drink?" The girl said softly.
"Thanks, anyway but I'm looking for someone." Gambit said politely but he noticed her face crumble so Gambit added, "But if I wasn't I would definitely take you up on it." She started beaming in response to this and Gambit continued, "I did notice that guy over there checking you out and he doesn't seem to be with any one."
"Thanks, remember me if your ever not looking for that someone." She said seductively.
"I will." Gambit grinned back thinking to himself I still got it and if Rogue doesn't appreciate it, I'll just give it to some lady who will. Gambit watched as the lady smiled and headed over to the guy Gambit had pointed out to her and they began to talk.
Gambit milled some more through the crowd he was very aware of his surroundings but still didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. He kept hoping Rogue would just walk up laughing at them and all the trouble they had gone too but he figured that wasn't very realistic, chances were in true x-men fashion they would have to mount a huge rescue and save her from the clutches of some evil villain. Gambit watched the crowd and every now and then would look over and check up on the new lovebirds they seemed to really be hitting it off he smiled to himself call him cupid. He hoped they fared better then he had his mood suddenly went sour. Gambit pushed his feelings away he needed to stay focused he walked up the stairs to the upper level and peered of the stairwell. He didn't see anything strange he glanced at his watch it was time to start heading back to the group. Casually they all recollected and began talking again like friends at a club. Of course they were all friends at a club so it wasn't that farfetched well some were more friends then others he thought glancing at Bobby but he kept his thoughts to himself.
"Quite the club scene eh?" Gambit said.
"Yes indeed, anyone notice anything strange?" Storm asked. Their group of people shook their heads no silently causing Storm to sigh inwardly. They had nothing to go on really this could have just as easily been a trap. Storm thought ironically a trap would have been preferable because then there would be some sort of clue as to whom had Rogue.
Gambit hadn't noticed anyone watching them, maybe whoever had Rogue had just used this as a meeting place and not a base of operations. Which really wasn't going to help them because it was a club so probably most of the people who had been here the night Rogue was here wasn't here tonight. Except for maybe the bartender Gambit thought as he looked over towards the bar. The only problem with that was it would tip their hand but they didn't have much of a hand to start with.
"Hey Stormy, what about the bartender maybe he saw something?" Gambit pointed out.
"Direct approach is the best approach if you ask me?" Wolverine said with a shrug.
"That's your only approach?" Iceman said looking at Wolverine.
"Works doesn't it icecube? I don't remember you complaining anytime I've saved your ass." Wolverine said hotly.
"I've saved your ass..." Iceman started to retort but was interrupted by Gambit.
"Children, children play nice." Gambit said noticing the looks everyone around them was giving them. "Now Stormy what do you want to do?"
"It will give ourselves away." Storm paused thinking about what Gambit had said and then continued, "I too see no other way."
They walked over to the bar and waited so they could speak to the bartender. The bartender came to them and shouted over the blaring music, "What will you have?" Gambit spoke up, "A shot of."
"Gambit no!" Storm barked looking Gambit pointedly in the eye.
"What! Where here anyway?" Gambit said back. Storm shook her head no in response.
"Do you want a drink or not?" The bartender said annoyed.
"Well I do!" Someone crowded around the bar shouted.
"I'll get to you." The bartender said over his shoulder towards the direction of the voice.
"We are looking for someone who was here a few months ago." Storm began her tale and was quickly interrupted by the bartender.
"I'm no good to you then I just started working at this particular club only three weeks ago. The other guy bartending here with me he's been here for four years and he's always here you might talk to him." Without another word the bartender moved on.
"He's friendly." Iceman popped off. Gambit nodded in agreement and the x- men headed over to the side the other bartender was working to talk to him.
Storm looked at Gambit and shook her head about the drink incident with Gambit. Gambit smiled back and said, "I was blending."
"Were not supposed to blend that much. We are on a mission." Storm said back to Gambit as quietly as she could but where he could still hear her.
"I didn't get it." Gambit said sulkily. Gambit looked around the bar and noticed a bowl of nuts and got an idea, "Can I eat a peanut is that allowed boss?" Gambit said in a teasing fashion.
Storm grinned in response and said, "You may eat a peanut, Gambit." She then added, "But just one."
"Thanks your getting as bad as Cyclops Stormy." Gambit said pretending to be angry.
"Nobody's that bad." Wolverine added. The assembled x-men all started laughing when the bartender they needed to talk to walked up to them and took one look at Gambit and shouted over the music, "There you are! I still have it but I'm too busy to go get it right now. Wait over there and I'll bring it to you when it slows down. Do you want a drink while you wait?"
Gambit looked at Storm and said with a grin, "No that's alright we will just be waiting over there, thanks." Gambit and the other x-men headed over to where the bartender had pointed and waited. Gambit was completely shocked when the bartender recognized him because he never remembered being here before. Gambit looked around the bar again to be sure he was certain of it he had never been here before.
"So you know that bartender?" Iceman said suspiciously.
"No." Gambit said thinking this should go well.
"You don't know the bartender Gumbo?" Wolverine said skeptically.
"No." Gambit said.
"How did he know you Gambit?" Storm asked gently.
"I don't know. I just want to see what he is going to give us. I have never been at this club before." Gambit stated.
"Maybe you were drunk and you don't remember being here." Wolverine said matter-of-factly. Gambit nodded his head in response that was possible he guessed.
Gambit studied the bartender from afar he didn't recognize him, he was usually pretty good at remembering people too. It was announced last call and the bartender they were waiting on said something to the grumpy bartender, the grumpy bartender nodded and began clearing glasses off of the bar. The bartender they were waiting on waved at Gambit and disappeared into the back. Gambit had to fight sinking down in his seat a bit as Iceman gave Gambit an icy stare. Gambit understood why he was having hard time believing this. He would be suspicious too if it was the other way around. Who was this guy? Gambit demanded the knowledge from his brain again but it wasn't forthcoming. The guy came walking out with a package and headed towards Gambit and his group. Everyone sat up curiosity getting the better of them.
"Well here it is." The bartender said handing it to Gambit.
"Here what is?" Gambit asked cautiously, he remembered a good friend of his in the guild had been overseas and an unexpected package had arrived for him and lets just say the way he heard it they were still cleaning pieces of his friend out of that hotel.
"The package you left." The bartender said a little confused by Gambit's reaction. Gambit could feel everyone's eyes on him like he was crazy and frankly Gambit felt a little crazy he didn't remember this bar, this guy, or this package for the life of him. Maybe it was like Wolverine had said maybe he had been drunk and he didn't remember it.
"The package I left?" Gambit said stressing the I.
"Yeah, the package you left." The bartender said stressing the you.
"Are you sure it's for me?" Gambit asked frankly a little confused.
"Well you look just like the guy. Your name's Remy LeBeau isn't it?" The bartender said.
"Yeah, that's his name." Iceman chimed in suspiciously.
"Who gave you that name?" Gambit asked the bartender.
"You did! Look, is this some kind of joke? I don't have time for this I have a lot of cleaning up to do." The bartender said impatiently. Gambit watched the bartender's reaction closely and the bartender looked like he was telling the truth to him.
"Well heres the thing. I lost my memory recently and I'm retracing my steps to try and jog a memory to remind me of my identity. Could you help me out by reminding me about how I know you and why you have my package and anything else you think might help me?" Gambit asked pushing his charm up a notch. The bartender's face softened a bit and then he said, "Well I don't know you personally. You came in here a few months ago and met with some lady. You two had a huge blowout where you ended up chasing her outside. I didn't really think anything of it at the time being a bar you tend to see that sorta thing a lot but you came back inside a little disheveled and asked if I would hold on to something for you. I turned you down at first and then you insisted and you handed me a bunch of cash so I said I would hold onto it until you returned for it, you gave me the name Remy LeBeau. So here you are and here is your package."
"What did the lady look like?" Storm asked.
"She was beautiful! She really stood out to because she had her hair died with a white streak on the front of it the rest was red. I wasn't really that close to get a good look at her though."
"Could you hear what they were arguing about, bub?" Wolverine asked.
"I only heard bits and pieces, but it was something about her leaving you." The bartender said jerking his head in the direction of Gambit then he added, "You know the usual stuff couples argue about." The bartender finished thoughtfully. Gambit couldn't help but laugh internally hardly anything him and Rogue argued about was usual not that he remembered even being here much last arguing with her here.
"Is there anything else you can remember about that night?" Gambit asked afraid to hear more.
"Well you two tipped well." The bartender said remembering back.
"Nothing else?" Gambit pressed there had to be something else the bartender could tell them that didn't make him out to be a madman.
"No, I'm sorry." The bartender said.
"Did you ever see the lady again?" Gambit asked hopefully.
"No, I'm really sorry. I hope you get your memory back." The bartender said sincerely and then headed back towards the bar. Gambit turned to the others and saw the doubt and confusion on their faces he sighed inwardly he was starting to doubt his own sanity. He turned back to the package he was holding and not for the first time wondered what was inside, no doubt something else to make him look bad. But at the same time it made him wonder if maybe he had flipped out and hurt Rogue. Maybe he had blocked it he saw that on a forensics show once. Or maybe he was drunk, or possessed or both. But at the same time he just couldn't believe he would ever hurt her. Where was Rogue? Why did he remember nothing about what had happened that night? ****************************************************************************
Again everyone make note of the title Conflicting Interest because I think I will change the summary next time. Thanks for your reviews and please take the time to review some more or for the first time if you're a new reader. It does make me want to write more when I get reviews that and it makes me giddy. ****************************************************************************