It was nearly eleven o' clock by the time Gambit and Rogue returned. Somehow between the mansion and town they had gotten to talking about clothes and how difficult it was to find a truly good clothing store, and before either of them knew it they were on a winding road trip to nearly every corner of New York. They'd gone to so many stores they lost count and when they got hungry they'd stopped by quaint restaurants and street cafes. Gambit had taken her to an out of the way Cajun restaurant where Rogue had her first gumbo experience. They'd laughed, they'd talked, they'd just generally had a great time and both of them were a little sorry to see the mansion come into view up ahead.
When they got back Gambit escorted Rogue to her room, carrying enough bags to clothe the entire state of New York. It was a tribute to Rogue that she'd managed to hold onto them during the ride.
As they got to her room, Rogue opened her door and Gambit carried the packages in and laid them on the floor. Rogue walked in to stand by her dresser and watched him. As he set the last one down, Gambit turned around to face her. Rogue's heart sped up as he met her gaze and began walking towards her.
"Um, thanks for helping me with mah stuff Gambit-"
"Remy." He kept walking towards her.
"Remy. Ah had a lot of fun today."
"Me too." Gambit stopped in front of her. God, she was beautiful. Her hair was windblown from the ride and her skin was flushed. He wanted to kiss her so bad, but he didn't want to scare her. Slowly he reached his hand up to run a gloved finger down her cheek.
Marie's breath caught in her throat. A tiny voice whispered that this wasn't Logan, that she should stop him. But she couldn't tear her eyes away from that red on black gaze. As he started to lean closer, Marie panicked.
"Remy mah skin-"
"Shhhh," Gambit whispered. He gently reached down and lifted the end of her scarf to cover the lower part of her face. Marie breath caught in her throat as their mouths met. His lips barely brushed hers but even that small intimate touch made things low in Marie's body tighten. Reveling in the new sensation she moaned. Gently, Gambit increased the pressure and Marie unconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms encircled her waist as her body pressed closer to his. She felt his tongue slide out to moisten the scarf between their mouths and timidly she copied the motion. Her reaction elicited a groan from Gambit and he pulled her even tighter against him.
It seemed like forever before their mouth parted, but even that was too soon. Gambit pulled back a few inches to look at her. Marie's eyes were glassy and her knees felt weak. She ducked her head under Gambit's smoldering gaze.
"Ma chere . . ." he reached his hand back up to caress her cheek. "Gambit should probably go. Dis Cajun is a gentleman, but even gentlemen can't resist everything."
Marie smiled shyly. "Ah'll see ya around tomorrow."
"Gambit gon be seein' ya sooner dan dat."
Marie's heart skipped a beat. Gambit smiled.
"Gambit gon see y' in his dreams tonight, Chere. No doubt about it."
Marie tried not to let the dopey smile split her face like she knew it must have.
"G' night Remy."
"Bonne nuit, ma chere."
Gambit desperately reined in his hormones as he tried to tear himself away. After he left the room, and the door was safely shut behind him, he leaned against the wall. He had the very unsettling thought that it was no longer clear who was playing whom. Shaking his head Gambit began to walk to his room.
As he entered and closed the door behind him, Gambit's kinetic sense suddenly detected another presence in the darkness of his room. Slowly, Gambit reached out and retrieved his playing cards off the dresser. Expanding his mutant gift he tried to pick up some movement in the room. Suddenly a voice carried over to him from a few feet away.
"I owe you some time in the Danger Room, pretty boy."
Gambit turned to face the voice. He knew who it was. "Name de time, mon ami."
Wolverine separated himself from the shadows and stalked towards him. A feral smile twisted his mouth as he looked at Gambit like he was a deer and Wolverine was a hungry . . . well, wolverine. Gambit held his ground, keeping his cards hidden in his hand.
Wolverine took a few steps closer. Suddenly his nose twitched and the smile vanished from his face. Sniffing the air again he picked up a new scent on Gambit. A scent he knew all to well. Marie. The other smells he caught mingling with her scent made his blood race with barely suppressed rage.
"You. Me. Danger Room. Now." he ground out.
Roughly pushing Gambit aside Wolverine stormed down to the Danger Room. Sighing, Gambit resigned himself to the situation he'd gotten himself into. Quickly he changed into a pair of jogging pants. If he was going to have it out with Wolverine he wanted to be able to move fast. Gambit swore to himself. It was going be a long night.
* * *
The next morning the X-Men were gathered around the table for breakfast. As they all sat around joking and talking, they heard someone coming into the kitchen. The table fell silent as a slightly worse for wear Gambit stumbled in.
"Remy!" Marie stared at the long scratch down Gambit's left cheek. Jean got up from the table and went to look at it. Gambit obediently stood there and let the doctor examine his face.
"It's not very deep, just keep it clean and it should be fine" Jean said after a moment.
"What happened?" Rogue asked with concern. She got up from the table and went to stand in front of Gambit.
As if on cue, Wolverine walked into the kitchen. When his eyes fell on Gambit both men stiffened. Wolverine snorted and abruptly left the kitchen.
Knowing looks passed around the table as Marie confusedly looked from the scratched Gambit to the retreating Wolverine. Suddenly it dawned on her what must have happened. She fixed Gambit with a stern gaze. "Remy, ya'll shouldn't be fightin' with Wolverine. He's just goadin' you into a fight because you embarrassed him that day you came here. Don't let him get to you."
As Marie rambled on, Gambit watched her with a bemused look on his face. She really had no idea what his fight last night with Logan had been about. Good naturedly, he allowed her to finish her lecture.
"Gambit sorry Chere. It won happen again."
Marie had the distinct impression that she was missing something. That sparkle in Gambit's eye made her think he was laughing at her. Irritated, but temporarily satisfied, Marie suddenly realized how close to Gambit she was standing. Memories of last night's kiss paraded through her mind and she abruptly stepped back.
"Well, Ah gotta go get ready for mah trainin' session." Marie said quickly. She excused herself and hurried out of the kitchen. She had to find Wolverine.
* * *
Wolverine was definitely easier to find when he was mad, Marie decided. She was walking through the woods, following a path that looked like a weed whacker had been put to the trees. At the end of the trail she found Logan, claws extended, breathing heavily and looking around.
"Hey, Logan."
Wolverine whipped around so fast Marie shrieked in surprise. For a moment they both just stared wide-eyed at one another. Then Marie recovered.
"You jerk!" She smacked his shoulder. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"
Wolverine just looked at her with a bewildered expression on his face. She had followed him out here when he was working off some steam. She had snuck up on him. She had startled him. And yet he was the one who got smacked for giving her a heart attack? Wolverine was sure this was the result of some female train of logic that he would do well to just walk away from.
Marie was watching a rainbow of emotions cross Wolverine's features. First confusion, then concentration, then knowing, and now he had a satisfied smirk on his face.
"What're you smilin' at?"
Wolverine quickly sobered up. No need to piss her off. "What're you doin' out here darlin'?"
"Lookin' for you."
"Why?"
Marie considered her answer carefully before responding. I want you to kiss me like Gambit did. I want you to see me like he does. I want some sign that you feel the way about me that I do about you.
"Marie?"
"Huh?"
"Why were you lookin' for me?"
"Oh . . . Ah wanted ta know if you were ready to start our trainin'."
Wolverine scanned her face. He knew she'd been thinking of something serious. Her face had gotten that distant almost upset look. Maybe she was still upset about the battle. Understanding dawned on Wolverine- that's why she wanted to train. She was feeling vulnerable from seeing Ms. Marvel's mortality.
"Of course, darlin'," he said kindly. "Gimme twenty minutes and meet me in the Danger Room." He reached out and gave her shoulder a squeeze before turning and walking back towards the mansion.
Marie stood there deep in thought as she watched his retreating figure. The look in his eyes had been so warm; she wondered what he was thinking? He was calling her 'darlin' instead of 'kid'. Maybe he felt something for her. Marie felt her hopes rising, but then frowned. If he was feeling something, it was probably just going to turn into some protective urge again. No, Marie decided. This time she would give those warm feelings he seemed to be having towards her a positive way to show themselves. If Gambit could be attracted to her, dammit, so could Wolverine. She would not be ignored today. She was going to make Wolverine see her as a woman if it killed her.
* * *
Looking at the clock, Marie realized she had gotten dressed in record time. She had five minutes to meet Logan in the Danger Room. Marie checked her reflection in the mirror one more time. Perfect. She was wearing a sheer black body stocking with a green mid-drift tank top and matching short shorts. Every curve was highlighted and the see through material of the body stocking protected Wolverine from her powers without denying him the sight of her skin. Nodding with satisfaction, Marie hurried down to the Danger Room. Time to get aggressive.
* * *
One hour later:
Wolverine was getting pissed. He had come to this training session in full protector mode. He was going give Marie back a sense of security by teaching her to defend herself. He was going be there for her if she got emotional. In short, he was going to make her all better.
To his consternation, Marie seemed to be doing everything she could to make his task difficult. First there was the outfit. Snorting as he dodged another half-hearted punch, Wolverine looked down at her ensemble. That sheer thingy she was wearing wouldn't last two seconds in battle. It really wasn't even up to a training session. One little nick and that thing would unravel in seconds. When he'd attempted to point this out to her, she'd looked like she was about to say something and changed her mind. Instead she just shrugged, so he dropped it.
As if that wasn't bad enough, her form was horrible. No matter how many times he told her to stay out of her opponent's reach she always ended up in his arms or pressed against his body. Not to mention her attention span was atrocious.
Finally, Wolverine had had enough. Escaping once more from the tangle of bodies Marie had managed to get them in, he stepped back and then dove right for her. Caught off guard -again - Marie and Logan tumbled to the floor. Wolverine rolled them over so he was lying on top of her. From his vantage point he glared down at her.
"Marie."
"Yeah, Logan?" Marie asked breathlessly. She strained to breathe properly as she reveled in the feel of his firmly muscled body pressed against hers.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Temporarily confused, Marie focused her attention back to his words. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Wolverine rolled his eyes.
"You're not even trying!" he exclaimed in frustration. "I tell you to stay out of reach and you practically hug me! Your attention is never on the fight. Christ Marie . . ." As he was rambling on Wolverine suddenly noticed something. Trailing off he double-checked to make sure he was right. In a combination of shock and dismay he looked down at Marie. Unless his nose was wrong, and it was never wrong, Marie was enjoying this in a very un-Marie-like way. As Logan looked down at her, her eyes softened and she shifted underneath him. That little movement made certain things stir low on his body and he instantly sprang to his feet. Backing away a few steps very quickly, he looked down and contemplated Marie. Looking him in the eye, Marie slowly got to her feet and began walking towards him. Wolverine definitely knew that look and it did NOT belong on Marie's face.
"Marie I . . ."
Marie listened calmly and kept coming closer. Slipping her arms around his neck she waited expectantly.
"Marie, no. No." Wolverine hastily moved her arms down from his neck. He placed them at her side and stepped back. "Marie, this isn't right. I know you have feelings for me, but it's just a crush, it'll pass. You probably just have me in your head still. Believe me this isn't what you want." He began to fall silent as he watched her features go from confusion, to understanding, to hurt, to embarrassment, and finally – to anger.
"How dare you," she whispered hoarsely with barely suppressed rage. "Who do you think you are to tell me what Ah feel? Ah'm twenty years old Logan! Ah am not a kid anymore! Ah do not have a crush! Ah care about you, you asshole!" Her voice rose with every syllable, her humiliation completely giving way to anger.
Wolverine stared at her like she'd grown a third head.
"Marie, this isn't right. You're too young . . ."
"If you say that again Ah'll scream! Ah've got all the memories of a seventy-year-old man who lived through the Holocaust and tried to take over the world! Not to mention YOU. Ah'd say we're even!"
"Marie, how am I supposed to react to this?"
"React? React however you fucking feel like, Logan! It doesn't matter. All that matters is how you feel about me." Desperately she reached a hand out to touch his face but he caught it in his before she could touch him.
"I don't know, Marie." Overwhelmed, he looked down at her. At a loss for words he abruptly turned and left the Danger Room.
* * *
"You an idiot, Wolverine." Gambit whispered to himself. From his vantage point in the Danger Room's observation booth, he watched Wolverine leave. Safely hidden behind the one-way mirror he saw Marie stare after him in shock. Then, slowly sinking to her knees, she gazed at an invisible spot on the floor. Gambit couldn't see her very well, but he knew she was crying.
Gambit shook his head. The man was a coward. Gambit knew what was going through Wolverine's mind. Hopefully when Wolverine finally figured it out it would be too late. Imagine, turning down Marie. How could he? She was smart, sweet, sexy . . .
Snap out of it Remy. She could be de enemy remember?
Sighing, Gambit watched as Marie gathered herself up and left. Seeing her slumped shoulders and weary stance he felt a tremendous urge to go to her. He wanted to hold her and tell her everything was okay. Tell her what a fool Wolverine was for walking away. Still, he knew Wolverine was still fresh in her mind and she wouldn't be ready to talk for a while. And anyway, she could be an enemy he reminded himself.
Leaving the observation booth, Gambit resigned himself to wait till tomorrow. As he went to his room he tried to ignore the voice in his head that was telling him he was jealous.
* * *
The next day the whole mansion seemed very quiet. Gambit noticed everyone seemed to be avoiding Marie. Concerned, he saw Storm in the lounge and went to speak with her.
"Stormy?"
"Do not call me that, Remy," she chastised him. "What is on your mind?"
"Why everybody so quiet? Why dey avoidin' Marie?"
Storm sighed. "Wolverine has left us once again. He left without saying a word to anyone. I believe he left a note for Marie. She is very upset."
"Gambit don understand. What's de story between dos two?"
Storm regarded him silently for a moment. Finally, she took a deep breath and gestured for him to take a seat. Gambit obliged and she began.
"I do not know how much you were told about the events that transpired four years ago." At his questioning look she decided to start at the beginning. "The X-Men found Wolverine in the forest, under attack. He had Marie with him, but at this point she was simply a hitchhiker. We saved them and brought them both here. Magneto at the time was trying to turn all humans into mutants with a giant magnetic machine. We thought he was after Wolverine to aid him in his plan, but we were wrong. He had been after Marie. We eventually defeated him but not before great harm had come to Marie. Wolverine, in an attempt to save her life, touched her to allow her to absorb his healing factor."
No wonder de bastard healed so quickly, Gambit thought, remembering their fight in the Danger Room.
"This was the second time she absorbed him and once again, he succeeded in saving her life, but a side effect was Marie now had him in her head. After he recovered he gave her his dogtags and left with the promise that he would return for them and her. He told her he would always protect her. Unfortunately, Marie had developed feelings for him. When he left, she was devastated. Then he returned. I had hoped she was over him, but apparently her feelings have remained much the same. I fear this time, his leaving will be all the more difficult for her to deal with."
Gambit was angry. "How could he do dis t' her? Again?"
Storm shook her head sadly. "I am afraid Wolverine still sees her as a child. He cannot or will not see her as an object of romance."
"His loss."
"Indeed." After a moment, Storm looked up at Remy. He was lost in his own thoughts. "Remy?"
"Hmmm? Oh, 'tanks Stormy. If y' would excuse me, Gambit got some 'ting t' do."
"Of course. And do not call me Stormy."
* * *
Marie was lying on her bed with her face buried in her pillows. He had left again. And it was all her fault. How could she have been so stupid? She'd practically put a gun to his head and demanded he love her. She pressed her face further into the pillow. Her anger had all melted away and left her to wallow in humiliation and rejection. Not wanting to face the pain anymore, Marie retreated into her subconscious.
* * *
"Hey buddy, you ok?"
Wolverine looked up at the concerned bartender.
"Yeah, I'm ok."
Uncertain, the bartender decided to let him be.
Logan took another swig of his beer. He was desperately trying to drown that little voice in his head. It was that damn little voice that whispered that he was a moron for leaving. He was trying to convince himself that he wasn't being a coward. He hadn't left because he couldn't handle it, he'd left for Marie's own good. She didn't really want him, it was just a crush. He was too old for her, whether she'd admit it or not. No, he was definitely not going back until he was sure she'd come to her senses.
On the stool next to Logan, another mutant sat with a beer. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but being a telepath wasn't always easy. She was only catching bits and pieces of his thoughts but one thing was certain. This guy had some chick named Marie, on the brain. As she watched him down another beer, the mutant wondered when he would face the music and follow his heart.
* * *
As Marie drifted on warm waves of nothingness she began to become aware of a voice calling her. Slowly she raised her head. Grey mists swirled around inside her head as her mind's landscape started to take a form. She was in some kind of bar. All around her the people she'd absorbed were sitting at tables, watching her. Cody smiled shyly as his image flickered. As a matter of fact all of them were flickering or fading in and out. Magneto watched her over the rim of his glass. His steely eyes unnerved Marie even though his body was nearly transparent. Logan was no where to be found. Just when Marie thought she was going to run, she heard a voice call to her again. Turning around she saw Carol Danvers walking towards her. Unlike the others, Carol's image was vibrant and real. She walked up to Marie and sat down next to her.
Hello Marie.
Hi Carol. Marie looked at her carefully, searching for any signs of anger. Carol noticed and gave her a kind smile.
Marie, I told you before, stop feeling sorry for me. And stop feeling guilty. You did what I asked and because of you those mutants at that community center got another chance at life. I have no regrets about that and neither should you. Marie gave her a small smile. Carol looked concerned.
Cheer up Marie.
Ah'm sorry Carol. Ah don't think Ah'm gonna be cheery again anytime soon.
Logan?
Yeah. He left again and it's all mah fault.
Marie I know what happened and it is not your fault. I know you probably don't want to hear this but he'll come back. Wolverine is not much for dealing maturely with his feelings, it just takes him a while longer than a normal person.
So what do ah do till then.
You could always learn to control your powers.
Marie stared at her. Had she just heard right?
Did you say control mah powers?
Yes. I've been looking through your memories and I've given your powers a lot of thought. Marie, your first experience with your powers was very devastating. You hurt someone you loved very much. Did you ever try touching anyone after that?
NO! Ah never wanted to go through that again. Ah don't wanna hurt people.
But that's just it. Because that one experience was so horrible you've convinced yourself that the next time you touch someone it will inevitably turn out the same way.
So, you're sayin' if Ah believed Ah could control them then Ah could?
Carol chose her next words carefully. Unfortunately I don't think it will be that easy. Your mind has been conditioned with your paranoia. As soon as you feel skin to skin contact you'll flash back to Cody and your powers will kick in to re-enact that memory.
So what can ah do?
Well, I was thinking, now that my mind has been completely absorbed into yours, maybe I can integrate a pleasant memory from my mind with your unpleasant memory from Cody and that way your reaction won't be severe enough to activate your powers.
You really think that'll work?
Well, it won't be easy. You'll have to practice a little at a time so you don't panic when you touch someone. And you'll have to try and maintain happy thoughts when you are touching someone. Negative emotions might activate your powers.
Marie thought about that. How am Ah gonna practice?
I don't know Marie. Is there anyone you trust who would be willing to help you?
Marie thought about that. There was someone. No, she couldn't. Not after what happened. Then again . . .
Ah think Ah know someone.
Carol smiled. Well, what are you waiting for? Slowly, Marie smiled too. She reached over and gave Carol a hug. Ms. Marvel returned the hug happily.
All right. Ah'll do it.
I'm here if you need me.
Thanks Carol.
Waving good-bye to Carol, Marie began to rise back up through her mind. As she sat up, she was surprised to find she wasn't in her room anymore. It was dark and she could barely make out the metal cabinets of the Med. bay. As Marie tried to get her bearings she realized she wasn't alone. Next to her bed, Gambit was sitting in a chair with his head resting on the sheets. The gentle rise and fall of his chest let Marie know he was sleeping.
For a while she just sat there, puzzling. Then she realized that someone must have found her when she was in her subconscious and thought she was hurt. Her heart swelled as it occurred to her that Gambit was here watching over her.
Suddenly a stab of panic shot through her. What if Jean or the Professor had scanned her mind? What if they knew about Carol? Marie tried to calm down. If they knew now, there was nothing she could do about it. It was best if she just went on with her plan.
Making sure Gambit was still sleeping, Marie gently slipped out of the bed. Padding across the floor, she left the Med. bay and went up to her room. Looking at the clock she saw that it was only midnight. Good, she would still be awake. Marie quickly got out of the bed and went over to the window. She was a little nervous. She'd never really used Ms. Marvel's flying abilities, but she still had Carol's knowledge of how to use them. Opening the window she tested them a little by rising a few inches off the ground. As she got her bearings, Marie flew out into the sky. Staying low among the tree tops so she wouldn't be seen, she headed towards the one person she knew would help her.
* * *
Gambit watched through the window as Marie flew out into the sky. He hadn't become the Prince of Thieves by being a heavy sleeper. As he watched Marie go, he felt like he'd been punched in the stomach. He didn't claim to know everything about Marie, but he did know she couldn't fly. And even more regrettably - he knew Ms. Marvel did. Had, he corrected himself grimly. Ms. Marvel didn't fly anymore.
Gambit walked back to his room with a heavy heart. He hadn't wanted to believe it. Throughout all of his doubts, all of his time spent with her, he hadn't wanted to believe it. How could this sweet, shy, caring woman be a killer? No, Gambit thought stubbornly. She couldn't be a killer. There had to be a logical explanation for everything. Gambit set his mind with grim determination. He was going to get some answers, and this time nothing was going to stop him.
* * *
Marie finally arrived at her destination. Walking into the hotel, she passed the front desk and headed straight for the stairs. Going up to the second floor, she looked around and found room 306. This was her.
Marie knocked on the door and a woman answered almost immediately. She was in her thirties with dark her and piercing black eyes. She had high cheekbones that gave her a look of grace, but the look in her eyes clearly marked her as someone you did not want to mess with. She opened the door just a crack and looked out. When she saw Marie a soft smile graced her lips. Moving to the side she opened the door wider and motioned for Marie to come in. Marie smiled and stepped inside. As the woman closed the door behind them Marie turned and watched as the woman's features melted away to reveal sapphire blue skin and bright yellow eyes. She looked at Marie. "Hello, child."
Marie took a deep breath. "Hello mama."