Destiny Always Finds A Way
Chapter Five- Coping
It seemed like such a long while, two hours, but for her it was nothing. Rogue had a good time talking to Michele, as she was asked to call her, and really felt better afterwards, almost like she felt after talking to Kitty or even Logan. Rare tears that were quickly becoming usual pricked her eyelids. The girl was a regular chatterbox and Logan was a tough loner who didn't say much, but Kurt and them meant more to her than anything- even touch. They were the only ones who were unafraid to get close, and who she actually let close. And the three were also the main reason she wanted to go back. Not to mention that this world was scary and confusing. Like the swamp rat… Gambit… "Thinking of your friends at the institute?" Michele asked, laying a gentle hand on her arm. Rogue nodded, "And I can't help but wonder how and why things turned out like this. Why am I an Acolyte? Why do my friends hate and fear me? Why Gambit? And why was I sent here?" She buried her head in her pillow, letting out a frustrated scream.
Her new friend smiled, "I'm afraid I can't help you with all that, but I can make my special recipe hot chocolate. Want some?" Rogue sighed and laid back on her bed, "No thanks, I'm not feeling too thirsty." The woman nodded and quietly left. She was turning down hot chocolate, something had to be wrong with her. After she left, the trapped girl faded into a reflective silence. Until it was broken by the sounds of running and giggling, that is. She looked up. It was that baby…Gambit's… and hers. "Mama chére!" he cried happily, toddling towards her. She gulped, staring at it, him, with a mixture of fear, panic. What was she going to do? She was no good with kids, she wasn't even sure she liked them, and he was supposed to be hers! But he was awfully cute, even though he did kind of resemble Gambit. No, that wasn't fair. Gambit was (is) amazing; charming, strong, handsome… Rogue just couldn't think that way around him.
Hating herself for feeling like this for feeling the way she was, for not knowing, she just stared at him. Chase LeBeau, she knew from Piotr/Colossus's memory. Chase stood for hunter or warrior in Old French, she knew. She smiled slightly, 'Figures Swamp Rat would choose something like that.' Or was it her that came up with it? Rogue's relief was palpable when St. John came in, following the child. He picked him up easily, holding him and talking to him comfortably like he must've a lot before. "Hey Rogue," he greeted, clearing his throat. "The lil' nipper here just woke up from his nap and decided to see you." As she watched the Chase get upset, reaching for her, she made a conscious choice- some odd maternal instinct kicking in. She must've gotten it when she absorbed Jean before, because she was sure this wasn't the type of thing you were born with- not her anyways. "It's okay, St. John, I'll take him. As far as he knows, I'm still his mother, and I may not be good with kids but I don't want to hurt him."
Pyro looked at her oddly for a moment but then, understanding the gist of it, he smiled brightly and she felt like she had won something. He walked over with the baby and gently handed him down to her, but then looked over to the door as if suddenly realizing something. "There's somethin' I need to do, I'll pick him up in a bit." 'He was leaving her alone with Chase? Already?' She felt a flash of panic but squelched it and nodded, "Okay, but you better come back quick." He saluted and laughed on his way out. Rogue sighed, looking down at the baby in her arms. She'd only wanted to hold him for a little bit, quiet him down a bit, but being alone with him for a long period of time? She shook her head.
"Looks like it's just me and you, kid," Rogue remarked wryly, observing the baby like he was planning to do something suspicious. He just smiled, "Mama chére, play." She quirked a brow, "I wonder where you get that from," she said, already knowing. She racked her mind, thinking of something to do while searching the room for potential toys, and spotted a deck of cards in an open dresser. Then Rogue grinned, "It's worth a try." Rogue got out the cards and spread them on the bed. "Okay," she told the captivated baby, "Pick a card." Chase picked up a handful. "Uh uh, one. Here," she told him, showing him one. "Now, don't tell me what it is, I'll guess." She used Jeans' powers, "King of Hearts, right?" 'Odd that he should choose that particular card,' she thought.
The baby gurgled. "Okay, you're right, I cheated. We'll play a different game. I know you can't say much-which is cool, because I don't, so we'll just play with colors." As Rogue dealt out some cards, showing him the colors and listening to him repeat them, she decided kids weren't subjects of horror after all. It felt unexpectedly good to try and teach this little being and having someone stare up at her with unconditional love and trust- even if it was just from a baby (one who thought she was his mother). Well, maybe she was- just not… yet…in this world? It was too confusing to think about. Then he started chewing on the cards and she sighed in exasperation. She heard a chuckle from the doorway, "Remy knows you weren't very good wit' des enfants chére, but feedin' him cards?" Her head whipped around as she realized he'd been watching them whole time.
To take away from her heated blush, Rogue tilted her head so her new long hair covered most of her face then pulled the cards out of the baby's mouth, prying them when necessary. "Well, you just blow them up anyway and I figured the kid could always use more carbohydrates," she said as breezily as she could, trying to keep her emotions in check. Gambit came over and dropped a kiss on her surprised lips. "Dat's de Rogue we all know and love, always thinkin'." She blushed again and cursed herself. Why did he make her feel like this? She cleared her throat. At least he didn't seem upset now, which was good. She hated the thought of hurting him for some reason. 'At least that way," she thought with a secret smile. "So what did ya come to tell me, Swamp Rat?" He grinned. "Jus' dat dinner is ready, Remy cooked tonight."
Rogue looked up in surprise. "You cook?" "Oui, an' Remy's a tres bon chef too." She snorted, "Still so arrogant." Gambit laughed, "Jus' wait an' see, chére. Not arrogant, jus' honest." "We'll see," she couldn't help teasing. The Cajun only smiled dazzlingly, "You want Remy to take de bebe?" He asked, looking down at them with apparent tenderness. Rogue smiled at the adorable, energetic infant. "No, I think I'll hold on to him, he's pretty cute when he wants to be." Gambit looked pleased and she picked the baby as she stood, him playing with her long hair. For some odd reason she felt the urge to hug him, so she did. Maybe this wasn't such a bad life after all…
