Disclaimer: Seeing as the X-Men were created before I was born, it's highly unlikely that I would own them. But I'm in the market for a time machine, if anybody wants to sell me one…

A/N: So, I take it you all enjoyed my cliffhanger? I know you're probably all grumbling and telling me to hurry and get to the actual chapter, so I won't ramble too much. Just a few responses - that's it, I swear! Please don't hurt me…

Caliente, btch, roguelebeaux003, Anime addicted, Yumiko, nessie6, Kazzeh Sodapop, Skyflyer, taya26, Jukebox, The Rogue Cajun, lid'l rogue, Ellavira, Remy's Angy, chibidrummergirl, the Untouchable Rogue, Anonymous, & Jordanz – Thanks all!

heartyshawk – I wish I could get a hand on one of St. John's books, I bet it'd be hilarious! Seeing as he's completely psychotic and all. We'll just ignore the fact that he's a fictional character… and I agree with you about the socks.

melancholic – I'm your idol? Woah, I might not be the best of choices, seeing how I'm insane and all… but flattered! Yeah, I thought you were dead - where are your updates? I love your stuff! Bright Lights has such amazing Romy potential! I'll be waiting, ever so impatiently. And I know how to speak French in theory. I took it for 8 years, and managed to forget most of it in 7 months. But it's good enough! I hope.

Rogue4787 & frozen fireball – Wow, you're on the trolley! You were right about the last two fics, the first was Medieval Times by XxFleurdelySxX, I highly recommend reading her stuff, it's great.

De-Femme-O-Da-Night – Full blown kickass, eh? I'm glad, half-assed kickass doesn't have the same ring to it. Ahh, I appreciated your JLo crack. I'm hoping you weren't saying all Romy fics are stupid, cuz if so, then you might start to feel slightly disillusioned with this one… But thanks for all your compliments! You're too kind.

Krac – Hunt you down and kill you, eh? Uh oh, then it sounds like whoever dies would be somebody I'd be upset about. You BETTER not kill who I THINK you're gonna kill! shakes fist threateningly at you Cuz yeah, then I really would have to hurt you. But hey, I'm glad for more Romy into the Arc! I can't wait for an update, hint hint. And hmm, you've resorted to quoting a "wise woman"? You've learned fast, young grasshopper. I'm sure you'll like this chapter.

Princess of Monkeys – Huzzah for humour indeed! Yay for appreciating my twisted little mind. I'm a generally funny and quirky person, so I just felt the need to have something amusing in the fic, rather than just loads of angst and depression. I'm glad everybody seemed to like the romance novel bit! That was a spur of the moment thing. Hmm, you're reading my fic instead of working? Glad I could tear you away from the tedious shuffle of the corporate world. ;-)

Cloud of Blood – Hey, I said you weren't an idiot! Can't you read? Idiot. Hah hah, just kidding! Really.

Goldylokz – Thanks for the description! Music junkie, eh? What's your fave band? I'll make you wear a shirt of theirs – mainly cuz it's an easily describable article of clothing. Woo, laziness! I'll give you a heads-up when you're chapter will come up, it might be a while though. Hobbit, eh? Have you seen Return of the King? I think the hobbits are quite gay. Me and my friends were doing voiceovers of the movie with sexual comments, it was very amusing. Yeah, I'm pathetic and easily amused. But props for quoting from the Princess Bride, I love that movie!

Krys Xanthina – This quick enough for ya? I must liberate the bunnies from you! I don't think they appreciate having stars stapled to their foreheads… But hey, I like your bunny/Stan Lee plan. That might just work! runs off to find Stan

Star-of-Chaos – That depends, who do you think it is? Cuz if you're hoping for Johnny Depp or Mr. Bean, you may be slightly disappointed. Well, alright, very disappointed.

SSJ Tokya – Alright, your explanation makes sense, I forgive you. But what's this, wanting to mooch Remy all to yourself?! We can't be having that! Maybe we can clone him, and then each have one! Or many, preferably. We'll get on that.

Tokyobabe2040 & Rogue77 – You both scare me just a little bit. I'm just gonna back away real nice and slowly…

Panther Nesmith – Emil and Henri action? You dirty, dirty girl! Although, now that you mention it, hmm… yeah, maybe not. I'm glad you like it. But why would I want fire ants in my underpants? Unless… argh, you've dragged my mind down into the gutters with yours! Shame on you, you're such a bad influence!

Calliann – Another Nobel? Sweet! Hmm, you're going through withdrawal, eh? Hell, try writing this thing! I'm dying for Romy! Although I think this chapter may help a bit… ;-)

Aro – You're quite quick with the reviews, Robin! Which is a good thing. Although this last one did seem a bit nonsensical. Are you sure you haven't already had your mental breakdown? Just checking.

Green Eyed Lilys Daughter – You were at the beach? That just throws off my internal clock, since it's December and freezing where I am. Which is Canada, so no surprise there. Cold? In Canada? gasp! shock! swoon! Good thing my igloo's insulated. ;-) And yes, very good point about sexism. There'll be some more stuff on that next chapter. So tune in!

Eileen Blazer – I know, damn me for keeping my updating promises! I could just leave you hanging… yeah, I thought so. I'm enjoying the fact that you're enjoying this! And hmm, you liked the nod to a certain story about certain people at a certain bus station, eh? I wonder why that seems so familiar? ;-) Wow, I love that you love all those things! But rather than pomegranate juice, I think it might be merlot. And no, you haven't been scatterbrained, cuz I haven't actually mentioned the word Rogue yet. Oh wait, dammit, there it was! Oops. Yeah, I know what you mean about it being hard to pay attention when Remy's involved. The drool gets distracting, doesn't it? Well, I'm oh so happy you like it, your praise means a lot to me! Hopefully this chapter will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, I know it did the same to me!

Alrighty, now the time you've all been waiting for, I'm sure. I can't count the number of reviews that asked, "Is it Rogue?". Well, maybe it is, maybe it isn't. You'll get your answer soon enough. Read, my pretties!


February Fifteenth

Chapter Four – Windows

6 years ago

Three a.m., bored guards, and jewels just ripe for the picking - the perfect combination for thieving. This would be too easy. Such a confident attitude might spell disaster for some, but not for Gambit. He was good at what he did. Very good, in fact. His father gushed about how he was on the way to becoming a Master Thief, but that was still a long way off. For now, he was breaking into the New Orleans Museum of Art on his first ever solo excursion.

He wasn't nervous. He never got nervous; it just didn't happen. Besides, there was no reason for it. The break-in was carefully organized, and things were going according to plan. Remy had already hooked the cameras onto a constant loop so there was no need to avoid them, giving him more freedom of movement. The guards were at their normal stations, some dozed while others listened to the radio; they wouldn't be a problem. Now he was silently making his way through the ventilation system, using his lean and limber body to his advantage.

With the layout of the museum memorized, it was no problem getting through the metal maze. Pausing in front of an air grate, he took out the necessary tools to open it. Carefully laying the screen down, Remy climbed out of the hole and nimbly flipped to the ground.

'Dis be a bit too easy,' he thought. 'Where be de challenge?'

Moving past various display cases, he walked over to his goal. A large collection of gems lay on a black velvet throw, glistening in the moonlight. Rubies, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires; they were all there, and all beautiful. But Remy didn't waste time staring at them; it was nothing he hadn't seen before. He reached for his packet of tools, about to dismantle the alarm and gather the jewels, when he froze.

Looking around, he frowned. He had sensed a movement. It couldn't have been a guard; they were hopelessly incompetent. It would be a cold day in the bayou before one could sneak up on Gambit unnoticed. Then what was it? Seeing nothing, he relaxed and made to reach for his tools, but twirled around and aimed a kick behind him instead.

"Ain't nobody can pull a fast one on' de Gambit," he grinned as he viewed a mysterious figure, but the smile quickly dropped when his kick was dodged and a punch came right back at him.

Gambit jumped back out of reach, and then ducked when more hits came. Dropping to the floor, he swept his legs out in an arc, but the other thief jumped over them, lashing out with a boot to Remy's head. With lightening fast reflexes he caught the foot before it made contact, and using the assailant's own momentum against him, flipped him over. Not one to waste an opportunity, Gambit quickly jumped on top of him, pinning the figure to the ground beneath him.

"Not bad, homme (man)," he laughed. "But not good 'nough t' …"

Remy trailed off as he actually got his first good look at the other thief, and was frozen in shock. He just stared, captivated by the greenest, purest, and most vibrant emeralds he had ever seen in his life. And he had seen quite a lot too, most of which he had stolen. But he had never seen anything like this pair before.

They weren't set in a ring or necklace, but rather in a face. A beautiful, perfect face. The thief wasn't a man, like he had assumed; it wasn't even a boy. It was a girl. He had to blink after looking at her, to make sure she was real. She had to be the most gorgeous girl that Remy had ever seen; he actually felt his heart skip a beat as he looked down at her.

The moonlight streaming in through the windows bathed her pale skin, danced upon her full lips, and highlighted the unique white streaks framing her face. He managed to take in all these details without breaking eye contact with her; he simply couldn't look away from those stunning eyes.

It was said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Remy had always scoffed at that, mainly because of his own demon ones. If it was true, then surely there was no good inside of him. However, in an instant his mind was changed. He looked into the girl's eyes and saw something that he felt must have been her soul. It was full of beauty, but also of sadness and hurt. In that moment he would have given anything to make her forget about her pain. However, he was struck with a realization; she was still staring into his eyes as well.

Remy hated his eyes. They caused him nothing but heartache; they were the reason that he had to live on the streets, that people ran away from him in terror, and that they called him le Diable (the Devil). But searching the eyes of this enchantress, he couldn't find a single trace of that fear or hatred. He had never experienced this before; yes, some people were now accustomed to his eyes, but even his family had flinched and started in the beginning. Not her, though. There was surprise, astonishment, and a bit of confusion evident in her face, and also some emotion Remy couldn't describe - but no fright. He wanted to speak and find out who this vision beneath him was, but he couldn't seem to form any words.

'Merde, what is dis fille (girl) doin' t' me?' wondered Remy as some semblance of coherent thought began to return to him.

Suddenly he realized that he was still on top of her. Although he liked that particular position, he slowly moved to stand, extending his hand to help her up as well. Still not looking away, she took Remy's hand. Not expecting her to be so light, he used a bit too much strength, which resulted in her being pulled directly into his arms. All of a sudden their lips were barely an inch away from each other's and he felt a burning desire to kiss her, to see if those lips really were as soft and lush as they appeared.

As he slowly began to bend his head down towards her, a sudden noise caught their attention. Finally severing their gaze, the spell between them was broken as a guard made his way down the hallway and into the room. As a flashlight's beam cut through the darkness, the pair jumped apart from each other to avoid being caught.

Stealthily making his way back into the ventilation system, Remy hoped his mystery girl would follow. He waited until after the guard left and dropped back down into the room to look for her, but there was no sign that she had ever been there. She was gone.

Present Day

It was his biggest regret, and others knew it. They just didn't know the real reason. After exiting the museum without the jewels, he had caught hell from his father for messing up such an easy job. His family assumed that he was angry at himself for making such a mistake, but they were wrong. The mistake was not kissing la fille de ses rêves, the girl of his dreams.

That's how Remy referred to her, since he didn't have a real name to call her by. The moniker was quite apt however, as he did end up dreaming about her, night after night. The dreams became less frequent over the years, but he had one just last night.

He had dreamt that he was waiting at the alter, with Belle walking down the aisle towards him. As she got closer, she started to change, until she was no longer the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty he was betrothed to. She was her. She then turned and ran away, with Remy giving chase. He ran and ran; just as he was about to reach out and grab her, he awoke, sweating and tangled in his sheets. He hadn't been able to get back to sleep after that.

Once more, he had given up hope; this time it was of seeing her ever again. Going back year after year to the same place they first met was both pleasure and punishment for him. When he went and waited, there was always the slim chance that she might show up that kept his dream alive. Yet she never did, and Remy always left more desperate and depressed than ever. He supposed it was ample penance for not taking advantage of the chance he had, and letting it pass by.

He had given up hope. But that wonderful feeling came rushing back as soon as the figure in the meeting room stepped out of the shadows. It was her.

If Remy had felt his heart skip a beat when he first looked upon her all those years ago, it surely must have stopped now. Once again the moonlight fell upon her pale skin, giving her an almost ghost-like appearance, which was even more accentuated by the black clothes and makeup she wore. Remy was worried that she might indeed be a ghost; this seemed impossible, and much too good to be true. However, the other Guild members seemed to be able to see her too, which reassured him.

"Who do y' t'ink y' are, just walkin' in here, fille?' asked one of the elders.

She regarded him coolly, and then looked around the rest of the table. When her gaze passed over Remy he saw a spark of recognition and surprise in those gorgeous eyes, and his heart leapt with joy. 'She remember dis Cajun! Glad to know pinin' o'er her wasn' one sided… y' hope.'

Looking back to the elder, she calmly raised an eyebrow and stated, "Ah'm Rogue. Y'all called?"


Now wasn't that fun, boys and girls? It felt so good to write this, you have no idea how badly I wanted good ol' Romyness right from the beginning. But sadly, I followed a plot. So blame it, not me! I swear I wanted fluff from the start. Well, it's finally here. Pure, sweet, Romy dribble. Is there anything better? It was quite cathartic writing this, hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Next chapter – will Rogue accept the Guild's job?

Ahh, now that Rogue's in the fic, I'm sure you're all giddy and squealing. I know I am! Hats off to all of you that guessed Rogue was the thief, gold stars for you! I was worried that it was predictable, but apparently I had a few of you stumped, so maybe it wasn't. Whatever! The point is, huzzah. The Romyness has begun, and shows no signs of stopping! Let us rejoice. And tune in next time!

By the way, don't forget to review! I've got over 90, that's great! We'll break 100 soon! ;-)

Kisses,

ish