This chapter took a bit longer than I had planned (four or or five days), but I had reached a slight plot problem and had to fix it. I decided to merge this story with one that I had previously started but not finished nor posted. This is a good thing though, because although I've lost a future story, it means I have chunks of this story already written. Hurrah! Future updates should come along smoother. Thanks again to everyone who reviewed, but I have to say, this is a scary place story-wise for me. In previous postings, in other categories, chapter three-ish is usually where the interest starts to wane, and I drop from lots of reviews to like v. little. I dunno if its a mistake on my part to provide an adequate plot, or what, but I am trying v. hard to avoid such a situation here. So please, please review! If something is wrong here, or boring, let me know, don't leave me wondering what happened. :)

Quick note: Rogue has never seen Gambit with red eyes. Read on!

The Freedom Caper

Chapter Three: Somebody Stole My Gal


There was something wonderful in the steady roar of a motorcycle, the easy rumbling, the surge of satisfaction as the obedient machine twisted and turned with the slightest hand movement. Or, perhaps, it was the freedom that made Gambit feel so good. He hadn't realized how chained he'd felt with Magneto until the sun had risen over the horizon and the thrill of a new adventure filled him like an ice cream on a hot summer day.

Yes, this was how he was meant to live. On the edge, testing the boundaries of daring and insanity, not stuck in some forced allegiance with a single-minded tyrant. In a way, he was thankful for his mutant companion; she had given him an easy reason not to turn back.

The wind danced with his auburn hair, pulling it up and everywhere at once. As he took a sharp turn, however, it abruptly lost interest and the abandoned strands fell messily before his black sunglasses.

Dis de way t'ings ought t' be, he mused, the gush of refreshing air, excitement, danger, and a pretty girl; the thought drew his attention to the slender arms encircling his waist and comfortable heat the accompanying body gave off.

He'd always been partial to the gentler sex, (though if the sore feeling in his arm was any indication, the x-girl wasn't necessarily gentle). They invariably made the best companions and provided the most fun. When he'd suggested she accompany him, it hadn't sounded all that bad an idea.

Yet he was beginning to think of his current companion as a liability. What if she suddenly went all goody-goody and called home for help? Cavalry would come thundering in, and Magneto with them. Plus, she wasn't exactly the most unrecognizable kid on the block, what with the white halo adoring her otherwise auburn hair.

Even so, he wouldn't have taken it back. Only a miserable fool pines for what might have been. It had not been in him to leave her out in the cold, helpless and vulnerable, no matter how inconvenient her presence was. And that was that.

A damn time for the thief instincts to slip onto a back burner, though, and let the ol' southern gentleman persona take over. Just what had his father, Jean Lug, been thinking anyway. Teaching a young Remy to be alternatively cold, calculating and callous, and polite, honest, and empathetic. To seduce women, rob them of their valuables, hearts, and information, dropping them when he was finished, then feel obligated to protect them from more of the same.

He felt his companion shift, then press back against him. Her grip had loosened considerably as the hours had passed. She was adjusting well to the fast turns, quick pace. And they had been driving for a long while, until so many street signs blurred into one multicolored strand of words.

Stoprightturnyeildrightonredleftlanemerge.

They'd stop for gas soon, and rethink the situation. Perception was like patterns in a kaleidoscope, changing shape in different lights. Morning sunshine might make them see things different, might carry with it a change of heart. She might want to be left behind, go home, or continue on. He might want to stuff a wad of cash into her pocket, offer her a few tips, and conveniently disappear while she was in the restroom.

Either way, it was best to not worry about things until such thoughts could not be avoided. Presently, the road was proving an adequate distraction.
************

Rogue was feeling many things. Fear, anxiousness, worry, sorrow…

But not regret.

Because, suppressed out of respect for those she cared about, waiting for its chance to blossom like a budding flower, was the most divine, exquisite sense of freedom. Of purpose. She wasn't following anyone's plan for her future except for her own. It felt great. Fantastic.

She sighed and rested her face on Gambit's back. When they'd first zoomed down the highway, she'd been trying to both hold on for dear life and keep her distance from the smooth talking Cajun. It was difficult to embrace a guy, when the only other times she'd met him, he tried to blow her up. But after a while, apparently, she'd either grown comfortable with his nearness, or simply decided that being saddled on a bike with him didn't count as real intimacy and she was being modest for nothing.

He was warm, though, and a sturdy kind of soft. He smelled faintly of men's cologne and cigarette, a combination that normally repelled her with all the effectiveness of mace. She must have grown used to that too, because the scent that filled her nose was pleasant, as familiar and welcomed as the smell of fresh baked apple pie.

Sometimes, he'd point things out to her, funny observations and goofy suggestions, and more than once she'd had to remind herself that bad guys weren't entertaining.

They were bad.

And Gambit wasn't witty and charming; he was a lying thief...with a terrific sense of humor. It had been awful when the gnawing question first entered her mind: Was he really as awful as she'd previously thought?

She decided the answer was no. He wasn't. He could be conceited, yes, a jerk, yes, arrogant bastard, of course. But crazed villain intent on watching her explode into a trillion tiny pieces? No.

They passed the New York border while she was staring up at the sky, picking out dragons from the mass of white fluff. She envisioned one coming to life, its powerful wings flapping away the clouds, clearing its path down to the earth. She smiled, just barely. She could be like that.

The town they'd entered was smaller than New York, so Gambit slowed down a bit to avoid attracting attention.

"I t'ink we gonna stop soon t'get some gas." Gambit shouted over his shoulder. She opened her mouth to scream at him for not keeping his eyes on the road, but noticed that he was still in perfect control, as good as a driver as Scott on an exceptionally good day. She settled for a grumbling "Okay."

Gambit pulled into the first gas station he saw. The suddenly lurching stop threw her off guard. "Easy now." He said, allowing her a steadying moment before easily sliding off. He dropped his keys into his pocket and ran a hand through his tousled hair.

Rogue, despite her vow to concentrate on the important facts, couldn't help but admire what the air had done for it.

"Ah'm fine." She answered, jumping down and feeling her pants for any wet spots. Speed had its advantages, including its ability to dry things. There was little to no evidence of the rain on her clothes.
"We are we, anyway?"

"Connecticut, I hope. 'Least dat's what de sign said." He unfolded his coat, which had been tied around a handle, and spread the wet fabric out over the bike.

"How y' feelin'?"

"Fine."

He nodded. "So, y' convinced I'm not workin' for Magneto?"

"Ah don't know." She admitted. She was confused on a lot of things. "Ah still don't like ya too much." There was truth in that too, on several different levels. Her views were biased, because of the X-Men/Acolytes situation. At the very best and what was becoming more likely, Gambit was a mercenary. But he had been her ticket away, had given her her first taste of freedom.

And then there was the sudden urge to forgive him everything; that bothered her mind the most. Why would she want to make excuses for his behavior? Why should she care? He was nothing to her and still she couldn't help but hope he had some important reason for joining the wrong side.

"Dat's okay, You'll come around," he joked. "Y' hungry?"

She took a moment to see their surroundings. A sign, painted on a wooden slab, balanced itself precariously a few miles away, its writing just barely legible: Welcome To Brook Falls. The gas station was average size, a few gas pumps and a little building filled with junk food. Across the road, a small diner beckoned to them with blinking lights.

Mama's Homecookin'. Best Southern food in the North.

"Sure." A smile touched her lips. "Wonder if that sign is true."

"I doubt it." Gambit called for the gas station boy, and a scrawny, pimply kid in a royal blue polo shirt came running.

"Fill de tank," He said, pulling out a wad of cash thicker than the average dictionary. "Den see if dere's any way to fix dis coat an' mebbe I'll reward you."

The boy's eyes followed the money like a puppy watching his master. "Yes sir."

"Ah'll meet ya there, Cajun." Rogue said, walking off.

"Dat's fine." He heard a low whistle and looked back at the boy. "You lookin' at my fille?" He asked, .

"Uh, no!" The blonde shook his head vehemently, then sighed. "Well, maybe. I'm sorry. But come on, she's hot. Where'ja find her? I don't think they make 'em like that in Brook Falls."

"On de corner o' mind your own business and mebbe I won't reupholster my chair with your skin lane."

That was enough of a warning. The boy became solely focused on the bike. Gambit walked away in satisfaction, and then cursed himself for acting like a jealous boyfriend.

But surely, he was just ensuring that the x-girl was being treated with respect, as he would any lady. She didn't deserve to be near such crude behavior. Yes, that was it.

Gambit thrust open the diner's doors, attracting attention from the ladies present. He disappointed them all by finding Rogue's table and sliding in across from her.

She was the only one not watching him. She seemed engrossed in the menu, examining each dish as though she were a food critic.

He considered the x-girl, her eyes downcast, biting the corner of her bottom lip. Maybe the boy's comment had affected him.

'She's hot.'

Earlier, he'd have labeled her pretty. Easy on the eyes. Okay figure. But now, he wanted to change his mind. If he really looked at her, she was beautiful. Not the kind of fluffy beauty he was used to, but a more intriguing, exotic sort, like a mystery novel that refused to be put down until every page was read and absorbed.

A book he almost wanted to read himself.

"Find somet'ing y' like?"

She looked up in mild surprise, like she was noticing his presence for the first time. A rather unusual glance for Gambit to see.
******

Food was not her top priority. She had a billion other things to consider. Should she send a letter to the mansion, let everyone know she was all right? Should she break away from Gambit while she had the chance.

But then he'd sat there, and the strangest image ran through her mind.
Jean and Scott at a lunch table, nibbling each other's french fries, whispers jokes only they would get.

Why would ya think o' something like that, she asked herself. Must miss 'em more 'n Ah thought. "Ah guess."

Gambit pulled the it away from her to pick out his own meal. "Any real Southern food?"

"Not Cajun food, if that's what ya mean."

He shrugged. "How did y' know I was Cajun, anyway. Most hear french an' t'ink Paris."

"Most didn't spend a year in the Bayou."

"See, now dat's somethin' dat wasn' in y' profile... Why were y' dere?"

Rogue generally shied away from personal questions about her past. Now, she scrunched up her nose and poked the edge of her water glass with the straw. "Ah don't wanna talk 'bout it."

"Fair 'nough. Can I ask y' somet'ing' else?"

She sighed. "What is this, 20 questions? Where's the waitress?"

"At another table. C'mon, Chere, it'll be fun. We trade information, qui?"

"Why?"

"'Cause it'll pass de time a whole lot quicker."

She sensed he was perceptive and persistent, and wouldn't give up if she said no. "Ah don't promise ta answer."

"Why y' runnin' away? I t'ought y' had everyt'ing at de mansion?"

"Ah just needed ta. Ah cain't explain. Why did ya risk Magneto's wrath by leavin' town?"

He clutched his heart. "A homme can' be chained t' one place all his life. Needs a lil' fun sometimes. What's your favorite kind of flower?"

"Lilies o' the valley." Rogue held her question, because the waitress came to their table and, cracking gum in her mouth, asked for their orders.

"Biscuits an' gravy," Rogue chose.

The waitress turned to Gambit. "And you?"

He sucked in his breath and pretended to contemplate it. "Do de dishes come with a side order o' you?" He said it so seriously that the waitress frowned and had to see his teasing face to realize his flirting.

She giggled like a school girl being introduced to her first crush. "I don't know, Sugar. Depends what you order."

Gambit pointed to the eggs and bacon special. "An' orange juice, please?"
The waitress giggled again and walked away, blushing and smothering down her skirt.

Rogue rolled her eyes; Gambit smirked. "'Smatter?"

"Ah dunno, Sugah," Rogue imitated, letting the words drip from her mouth like molasses. She batted her eyes. "It all depends on what ya orderin'."

*************

Gambit didn't know why, but the words sounded better when the x-girl said them. They were more natural somehow. In fact, he wouldn't mind hearing her talk like that again.

He didn't mention it though. Instead, he said, "Your question."

"Why do ya flirt with everyone?"

"Not everyone. Just de femmes. Does it bother you?"

"Hardly," Rogue scoffed. "Ah just don' wanna see ya blaze a trail o' broken hearts through Connecticut. Ah might wanna come back here some day."

"Does dat mean y' comin' wit' me de rest o' de way?"

"It doesn't mean nothin." She insisted. "Is orange juice ya favorite mornin' drink?"

"Non. I prefer hot chocolate."

"Why didn't ya order it? Its on the list."

"Its my question." Gambit rested his elbows on the table. "What question do you hate t'answer an' why."

She looked up sharply. "That's cheatin'. Ya cain't tie two questions together an' act like they're one."

"Its not my fault you didn't think of it." The X-girl pouted, and it gave Gambit a sense of triumph. She wasn't as distant as people said.

"When people ask why Ah'm goth. They always assume Ah'm rebelling, jus' 'cause Ah don't listen ta bubble gum pop and wear pink clothin'. Why were ya wearing those glasses at night?"

Gambit frowned. He was the one supposed to be finding the touchy subjects, not her. But he was an expert card player and hid his expression well. He tugged the black accessories from his face, and let her stare into his chocolate brown eyes. "I wear my sunglasses at night…so I can watch y' weave an' breath y' story lines."

She grinned –an honest, truthful grin, if his empathic powers were right, and leaned back into the red and black seat. "Ah see. Don't masquerade with the guy in the shades, that it?"

"Dat's right."
********

After breakfast, they returned to pick up Gambit's motorcycle.

Gambit fingered his favorite outerwear: the brown trench coat, and sighed when he realized it was beyond saving. The water hadn't dried fast enough and no amount of airing had taken away the smell, akin to that of a wet dog.

"Sorry 'bout that." Rogue whispered as he shoved it into a trash can. "Ah didn' mean ta ruin it. But Ah guess this means we're even, huh?"

"Was a present from my momma," He said, solemnly. "Last t'ing she gave me as she lay, dyin' o' cancer. I can still see her face, brimmin' wit' tears, tellin' me I look like m' dad. Mais, 'fore he died in de war."

"Oh Gawd," Rogue gasped, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "Ah'm so sorry. Ah thought, Ah mean, that is...wait, what war?" Her confusion gave way to irritation, as she saw Gambit's attempts to hide his smile. "Oh, shut up, dumb Cajun." She socked him in the arm.

He just laughed harder. "Is it my fault if you believe me. Can' trust a t'ief."

They continued driving. Everything was going well. More or less, anyway. The comfort degree had gone up, the doubts down, the amount of personal soul-searching/questioning had been raised.

Gambit whistled to himself, a sweet tune his Tante Mattie had taught him when he was just a child, helping in the kitchen, sprinkling spice into the pot like a mad kid. Rogue was back to staring at the sky. This time, she found only long ribbons of white, decorating a cerulean canvas.

And then a blood-curdling scream caused Gambit to spin into a halt, nearly throwing Rogue from his side. The bike skid sideways, narrowly missing a street light.

"Damn it, Gumbo." Rogue yanked herself free, and felt her arm for a scrape. There was a small gash above her elbow.

"Shh." He warned, placing a finger to his lips. "T'ink someone needs help."

"Yeah, you." And then another scream echoed through the alleys. "Oh, you mean her." Rogue immediately fell into super hero mode, mentally locking away the mild pain in her arm until a later time. She scanned the area but found nothing.

"Can you jump fences?" Gambit asked.

"Yeah." She answered, following his gaze to a tall wire fence.

"I t'ink its comin' from dat way."

Rogue was fast, but she had to admit: Gambit was faster, and more agile. He vaulted over the wires like an Olympic gymnast, then turned impatiently back to her.

She felt awkward and slow, trying to imitate his graceful moves. But there was little time for self pity as yet another scream shook the empty neighborhood, and was abruptly silenced.

They crept along until the scene was before them.

A small framed, brown haired girl was kneeling on the dirty ground, the knees and legs of her purple pants lined with sludge. Her eyes were wide with terror, as she stared at her attacker, a big man hovering a gun inches from her face.

"Shut up," He said, pushing the barrel closer. "I swear, if anyone so much as sticks their head around that corner, I'll shoot you."

She tried to talk, but a long piece of cloth had been knotted around her mouth.

"Show me where the money is, damn it." The man insisted. He kicked a purse, and a tube of lipstick rolled in front of Rogue. She gulped.

"Stay here," Gambit whispered.

"Where are ya goin'-" Rogue stopped talking as she saw him back away. It seemed like he was leaving, just abandoning her…

And then his figure landed behind the man. He had gone around! Gambit tapped the mugger's shoulder.

"Come on, Homme, leave de girl alone." The mugger spun on his heels, wildly waving the gun.

"Get away! I'll kill her! I'll kill you!" A gun went off, but Gambit dodged it. A card seemed to materialize in his hand, and began to glow.

"A present, mom ami. T' remember me by." Gambit tossed it, and the ground exploded beneath the mugger's feet. He landed a bit away, unconscious.

Gambit grinned and walked over to the girl, easily breaking her bonds. "Y' all right?"

The brunette nodded, gratefully. "Oh my God, thank you. He didn't believe that I wouldn't carry money on me. But I don't! I don't dwell on earthly possessions…" She reached forward and buried her head in Gambit's chest. "Oh thank God for you."

"If I had a nickel for every time a belle said dat." He chuckled.

"You saved my life! Oh gosh, you have to let me do something for you." She gushed. "I owe you such a debt. I just, oh gosh."

"Dat's fine. De smile on y' lips is more dan enough."

She blushed –common reaction. "How did you do that? Are you a mutan-" And then her face froze in a look of total fear, though it only held on for a few seconds. Unabashed amazement soon followed. "THAT WAS AMAZING!"

"C'mon now, it wasn' dat incredible." But the brunette was pushing past him now, towards a semi stunned Rogue, who stood at the feet of a really unconscious mugger.

Her glove had been removed, and her mouth was slightly agape. Gambit frowned. "What happened?"

When Rogue didn't answer, the girl did. "All of a sudden, the mugger raised his head and he had his gun and he was going to shoot you and like, instantly, this girl jumped out of the side and she just touched him and he crumbled!"

Gambit raised his eyebrow. "Chere? Y' feelin' okay?"

Rogue waved him off. "Sure thin'. Ah got temporarily bombarded by unwanted memories, but Ah'll recover."

"WOW" The girl continued. "That was so awesome. How did you, I mean, wow. Can I shake your hand or something? I've never seen anyone, even a mutant, do that by just touching them! You saved us!"

Rogue locked her hands behind her back. "Ah'd love to, but mah gloves tore when someone came ta a screechin' stop." She narrowed her eyes at Gambit.

The brunette paused. "You mean you can't control your powers?"

Rogue shifted uncomfortably, kicking the gravel with her toe. "Naw."

A new, strange look took over the brunette's features, a look not even Gambit could place. "So people are punished for trying to touch you?" She asked in an eerie, low voice.

"What?"

"Um, I mean, that's totally all right. Its enough to just meet you, um…"

"Rogue."

"Rogue." She repeated. "Awesome. Listen, I've got some friends who would just love to meet you,…"

***********

Gambit was growing restless and fidgety as he waited for Rogue in a blue room. It was rather disturbing, how blue everything was. The walls, the phone, carpet, the empty picture frames hanging crookedly on the wall.

He wanted to leave. Something was out of place.

He hadn't been able to shake that strange feeling from his mind the brunette –Susana, they'd learned- had been emanating. It was odd. Not quite admiration, a step away from fear, and something in between.

But why? Why would she be inspired to feel those things, that fast? Because Rogue's powers 'punished people'? That wasn't a normal perspective.

Look who's giving lectures on normalcy, mon ami, Gambit told himself, rubbing his eyes.

Unlike him, Rogue had become quite captivated with Susana, had loved the room, and was currently talking to her about some exclusive mutant resort. He wasn't allowed in, apparently, because men weren't allowed to even see pictures of the female's cabins, or something like that.

God, he wanted to leave. Things weren't right. He could tell.

The door squeaked open and Rogue walked out, looking decidedly happy, if a bit glazed. "Hey there, Cajun," She said, "Hope ya didn't wait too long."

"Non. I'd wait forever, Chere. But uh, let's hit de road, non? I t'ink we need t' get-"

"Ah'm goin' with 'em." She interrupted.

"What?"

"They showed me the place, an' its beautiful. Filled with mutants, like a vacation where we won't be judged or nothin'. It looks wonderful. Ya can tag along, Gumbo," she said, "If ya want ta. It'll be a good place ta hide from Magneto. All secluded an' stuff."

"I don' know. You sure dis is what ya wan'?"

"Absolutely."

He stood up and caught her wrist. "I've got a bad feelin' 'bout dis....Let's jus' get outta here."

She frowned. "Who do ya think ya are? Luke Skywalker? Ah don't care if ya don't like this room. They're nice people an' Ah think they can help me."

"Chere-"

"If ya disagree, y' welcome ta leave. Its been fun, thanks for the list, best o' luck an' all that jazz." She twisted away from him and
marched out the doors.

Gambit sighed.

"Fine. If dat's de way she feels, I got my own life. Don' need a tag-along anyway." He glared at no one in particular and left too, touching one of the frames as he exited the building.

No one was there to see it splinter into a thousand tiny pieces.

***********

Rogue felt tired, and dizzy, as she waited for Susana outside their office. Her vision seemed almost blurry, her head was spinning, and a severe thirst scratched at her throat.

She remembered how good the blue drink at the office had tasted, and licked her lips as she wished for more. Maybe if she went back in, Susana would give her more.

Her hand pressed against the door, just as Gambit was coming out. She stumbled back and nearly lost her balance. In fact, she seemed doomed to a face full of cement until two strong arms wrapped around her.

"Careful," He whispered, sighing a bit. "Goin' back inside t' wait for dem?"

"Yeah."

He shrugged. "I'll help you in." He climbed the two steps with her, then held the door. She staggered inside. "Have a seat, I'll tell dem t' check on you 'fore I go." Gambit said.

It was one last nice gesture he could do for the girl that had given him more trouble than she was worth. Getting' soft, Gambit, he told himself.

But as he poked his head through the next door, he heard talking. Quiet, hushed talking.

"Are you sure?" A man's voice said.

"MmmmHmmm." Susana answered. "I saw it with my own eyes."

"The Master of the Blue Realm will not tolerate any kind of mistakes. And, if your wrong, we'll have lost valuable time in finding the right girl. Is she wholesome?"

"Trust me. She's been saved for the Master. I'm sure."

"Did you give her the drink?"

"I did. She should be falling asleep right now."

"Nothing strong. We need her blood pure for the sacrifice."

"She'll feel even better when she wakes up."

"What about the man with her."

"I don't think there's any strong tie between them. He'll let her go."

"He knows about this place. We have to do something to him. Erase the memory."

"No. He saved me from the thief first. And he led me to her. I'm releasing him freely."

"What if he wants to go, also?"

"There is always room for one more to serve the Master."

Gambit shut the door and ran a hand through his hair. He turned to Rogue, but she was indeed sleeping. His bike was in their garage. He checked the window, and saw a car parked outside…

***************************************************
***************************************************

Tap. Tap. Tap. Kitty fought, valiantly, to ignore the incessant tapping of Karl Pentel's pencil against the hard surface of the school desk; she endeavored to focus on the teacher's boring babble. Most of all, she tried to not think homicidal thoughts about Rogue.

Rogue, who should be occupying the seat beside hers, keeping people like Karl far away.

The brunette sighed and began drawing circle patterns on her binder paper. At the first swirl, she wondered where Rogue was at. She'd been gone before Kitty woke up, suggesting her all day excursion was either 1. actually an all night and day event, or 2. far away. The circles evolved into figure eights, and as her pencil glided carelessly, Kitty decided to forgive Rogue after all. So she ditched one day, was that a crime?

"Psst." Her brown eyes wandered over to Karl, who offered her a gum. She grateful accepted it.

See Kit, she told herself, its working out after all. She slipped the silver foil off e gum and-

"Mrs. Simon! Kitty's chewing gum!" Karl said, loudly. Mrs. Simon paused, chalk mid-air, and raised an eyebrow.

"I...I..." The mutant frowned and crammed her forbidden treat into a slot on her binder. "I'm sorry."

Karl grinned fiendishly. Kitty glared back. Rogue was going to die.

***********

Library assignments were an interesting form of torment, commonly created to punish students for their teacher's absence. It invariably involved a set of confusing questions, a book found only in the darkest, dankest, moldiest recesses of the library, with a call number possessing more digits than the mathematical expression pi. The answers to the questions would be found on the page that, naturally, had been glued to its brother with bubble gum some time in the early eighties.

Kitty plopped down on the ground, letting her work drift several feet away. She'd given up her lunch to finish the assignment at the public library, not knowing how unfun it would be. She could have procrastinated!

She had yet to figure out who to blame the whole thing on, but she was leaning towards the still-absent Rogue.

She sighed and crawled over to her paper. Her hands reached to snatch it up, when the sound of unpleasantly recognizable voices caught her ear. She phased through a shelf to hear better.

"How did the research go?" Asked one thick, russian-accented voice.

"Not well. He hadn't been spotted anywhere yet."

"Then how are we going to find him?"

"Well gee, Mate, let's just have a look at my 24 hour Gambit spy-cam, shall we?"

"Are you going to keep joking until Magneto's using your head to light his cigarette? You heard him: he wants Gambit back. Vital to the plan and whatever else."

"Look, I dunno where t'start, kay?" There was a sigh. "What about the kids. Didn't the boss tell them to find our runaway, too? Maybe they can help..."

"They're idiots. They'd be lucky if they can find their shoes in the morning."

"Fine, Mr. Grumpy. Don't tell me your heart is made of steel too?"

"Shut it, Pyro. Keep our investigation separate. We'll start right here in Bayville. We can ask around the clubs."

"Right. He did have all the luck with the shielas, didn't he."

The Russian grumbled an answer. Kitty heard the sound of shuffling and realized they were leaving the secluded corner. She got up and tried to rush away but ended up bumping into a wall.

Only it wasn't a wall.

She bit her lip as Peter looked down at her. "Sorry," She murmured, nearly phasing through him to get to the door.

St. John came out next. "You okay, mate?"

"Peter nodded. "Yes."

**********

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. In a credit to the Bayville school district, Kitty actually learned new things. Why diatoms are filled with oil -to keep them afloat, how to write a paper on Nathaniel Hawthorne's work -lavish on the B.S., how to maintain a sweet demeanor while plotting murder -with lots of smiles and careful planning.

By the time she hopped into Scott's car and fell against Kurt's shoulder, things had been pretty much decided. "Has anyone seen ROgue yet?

Kurt shook his head. Scott glanced back in the rear view mirror. "She didn't tell you where she was going?"

"Nope."

"Maybe," Jean suggested, "she just wanted a little alone time."

"Ve should check on her," Kurt said. "She likes to stay by ze river."

Scott turned on his signal. "Let's go."

***********************

The wind was howling, screeching, as they left Scott's car on the side of the road. He gave it one last longing look before following Jean down the rocky terrain.

"Oh yuck," Kitty squealed, staring at the glob of mud painted to the side of her white shoes. "Rogue's so gonna owe me."

"You sure she comes here a lot?" Scott asked. It looked dangerous.

"I think so," Kurt responded, bamfing from one area to the next.

"I don't think this is safe for the girls." Scott said. "Can you check out the other hills and report back here?"

The flurry blue boy vanished into a puff of smoke. He reappeared moments later, looking less happy.

"No sigh." He sighed.

"So like, does this mean Rogue hadn't been here for a while?"

"There's been a lot of rain," Jean reminded them. "All the footprints have been washed away by now."

"Hey look," Kitty knelt, braving the mud to expore her discovery. She tugged gently on something, but it didn't come loose. She leaned her weight into it, and screeched as her feet slid forward and her entire backside got bathed in the gooey brown substance.

"Kit, are you all right?"

"Yeah, I didn't like this outfit anyway. I saw Minnie Parker wearing the same thing last week." She held up a mud-drenched beret. "But I don't think Rogue is."

"Oh God," Jean gasped, seizing the object. "You don't think she's…"

Kitty shook her head. "I don't know but I found this too." She lifted an arm and showed them a handful of bent playing cards, their colors still bleeding into the dirt.

"Aren't those Gambit's weapon of choice?"

"Yup." Kitty collapsed back into the mud. "I overheard Pyro and Colossus talking today. Gambit's on the run. So I think its pretty obvious here what happened." She let the cards fall into the dirt again.

"Gambit's kidnapped Rogue."

**************
**************

"WHAT?"

"I'm gonna kill that punk." Logan growled, unsheathing his claws -but was quickly calmed by Storm.

"Perhaps we should notify Charles."

"By the time we tell Chuck, who knows what he'll have done to her."

Storm sighed and knew he was right. Charles Xavier was on the other side of the world, on important business. They'd have to take care of things.

She looked at the kids, who were all dirty, panicked, and eager to start searching for their stolen friend. "Are you certain?"

Kitty relayed the story of what she had heard, and her suspicions. While Ororo wasn't completely sold on the kidnapping accusation, she had to admit, things looked bad.

Perhaps he hadn't actually kidnapped her, but he did have certain charm powers. He could have easily talked her into doing something she normally wouldn't.

She turned back to the kids. "We'll search for her. I'll check my sources, Logan…"

"I'm on it," He said, slipping out the door.

"And we'll search too," Scott added. "The X-men will find Rogue."

"But what if Magneto gets there first?" Jubilee, having joined the group, asked. "I mean Gambit's probably being sought after right now. Which means, they have a head start."

"Maybe...Jean started, but then shook her head. "No, it's a bad idea."

"Vhat?" Kurt said, "Tell us!"

"Well...what if, instead of racing against the brotherhood and Magneto's goons, we work with them…"

"That's crazy."

"Mad."

"Magneto won't allow it."

But the idea was catching on. Jubilee grinned. "Hey, we can add to the search too. And," She lowered her voice so Ororo, now in the adjacent room, couldn't hear, "who says we have to tell the grown-ups?"

*********

Consciousness found Rogue slowly, beginning with a shimmer of light disturbing her eyes. She reached up to block it, and yawned.

"So sleepin' beauty finally wakes up? An' before de charmin' prince gets to give her a kiss."

She groaned and stretched. She did feel strangely rejuvenated. "What's goin' on. Who's car is this?"

"Dunno," He answered lightly, switching on the air conditioning. "But its nice, non?"

"What happened? Ah thought...where's Susie?"

Gambit shrugged. "Far away from us by now, Rogue."

"Ya creep! What did ya do ta me, just 'cause Ah didn't wanna go with ya."

"You're turning into a bad judge of character, girl." He adjusted the rear view mirror. "She drugged you. I t'ink she's part o' a cult dat wants your untainted virgin blood for d'ere master."

"Ya crazy. Why would ya think somethin' like that?"

"'cause dat's what she tol' her friend."

"Yeah, right."

"Wan' me t' turn dis car around right now?"

"Yes, please!" He did. Actually, though, it was more of a stop on the side of the road. He unlocked her doors.

"Fine den. Wan' money for a cab? Wan' me t' call her? But don' be blamin' me when y' being sacrificed t' some make-believe god."

She stuck one foot out. Then the other. Then she sighed. "This is Susie's car."

"What?"

"She can probably trace it anywhere in the US. Where are we, anyway?"

"Maryland."

"What?"

"Y'been out for a long time."

"You have to get out of here. IF you're telling the truth, she's gonna find us no matte' where we are."

"Oh."

He got out of the car too, but he slammed the door so hard, it came back to hit him. There was a crunching sound. He groaned. A spark flew from Gambit's direction. "Woah there, Gumbo. We're tryin' not ta be noticed, remember?"

He nodded. "Qui. Dat wasn't my powers."

"Then what? Sparks jus' come flyin' outta ya for no reason?" He out an object from somewhere in his outfite.. A small, battered and broken piece of metal. The wiring was shot, though, and whatever its purpose, the object obviously now useless. "Merde." He whispered, full of dismay.

Rogue raised her eyebrows as she recognized the machine. "Ah know those things! Its an image inducer. Kurt and Mr. McCoy uses 'em ta disguise themselves in public." She shot him a suspicious look. "Hey wait a minute, why do ya got one of those? Who are ya really?"

Her heart sunk as she imagined the sleek appearance of Gambit falling away to reveal a teasing Kurt, the desert around them dissolving into the black and silver danger room.

"I'm still me." He said. "Was jus' for kicks, anyway. Didn' do nothin'." Despite his proclamation, there was an unmistakable twinge of disappointment in his words.

"Right. Ah'm sure. How do Ah know ya not lyin' ta me. Ah've seen mah share o' blue people with disguises."

"Well dis one's broken, non?" He yanked it from his limb and slammed it against the ground. "So dis be de person I am wit'out it."

True. She examined him. He was, in fact, still the same. Same hair, black glasses, long coat, etc. "Ah guess." Nevertheless, her mind couldn't help but wonder -what had he been hiding behind an image inducer?

"So anyway," she changed the subject as they started walking away from the car. "Ah've been thinkin'."

"'Bout what?"

"'bout what y'all said. 'Bout goin' our own separate ways o' stayin' together."

"And what've you decided?" He asked. She wrung her wrists. This was it; it was time for her to bid him farewell and walk off into the horizon a solitary, silhouetted figure. Time for her to thank him for the ticket out of Bayville and let him become acquainted with her backside...

Rogue blushed as her own thoughts mutated. Then she pushed them aside. So he was a good-looking (make that GREAT looking) guy who wasn't as evil as his reputation suggested. So he was funny and smart and charming -even when not employing his powers. There was no reason to stay around, just for his company. Just to hear him roll words off his tongue as though they were sweet gourmet candy.

No reason- "T'stay. Ya do owe me a new set o' clothes. Ah'm sick o' wearin' these old rags. Ah need a shower, an' a break, and a really good chocolate cake."

She could always leave later, when she got bored with the Cajun.

"All d'ose t'ings at once?"

"Yup."

"Den dey'll be my top priorities." Rogue looked at him and did something really unexpected: she started laughing.

It started off as a smile she couldn't hide, grew to a chuckle, and broke out into a carefree laugh that surrounded him. He watched her, her pearly white teeth, and listened to the sound of her joy. And he saw what he'd been missing before, that spark, the fire that blazed around her. He hands itched to reach out and grasp it, to capture her...Gambit was glad she was staying around.

Whether or not she was just another pretty face, or if that spark in her had been real, he enjoyed talking, joking, and flirting with her. She was collected enough to respond, to match him innuendo for innuendo.

Rogue finally regained control, clasping his shoulder to balance herself. "Know somethin', Gumbo? This has been an all right day."

"Glad y' t'ink so.""So what's next?"

"Mais...lets see, a cult wants you t'be d'eir virgin sacrifice?" He looked down at his watch. "An' Magneto's prob'ly started his hunt for me now."

"Yup."

Gambit pressed his glasses closer to his nose and let his cocky grin curve his lips. "Let's get outta here an' find some real fun."

"Where'll we go?"

"Hear California's nice dis time o' year."

"Isn't that kinda far away?. Ah mean, with us havin' no car an' o' bike n' stuff."

"We'll get dere."

"Hope ya right."

"I am...and Chere?"

"Yeah, Gumbo?"

"De name's Remy. Remy LeBeau."

**************



Somebody Stole My Gal

somebody stole my gal
yes, somebody stole my pal
some alley tomcat came and took her away from me
they didn't even tell me that they were leaving
the kisses we had shared
and the times she said how much she cared
well now I know
yes, now, how I know
just how much I need her so
I'm pretty broken up
I'm plenty broken-hearted now
somebody stole my gal
somebody stole my gal
somebody stole my pal
some sweet talking lover boy
took her away
I think to play
they didn't even come over to tell anybody they were leaving
the kisses we had shared
the times she said she cared
well now I know
yes, now I know
well just how much I need her so
I'm pretty broken up
I'm broken-hearted now
somebody stole my gal
didn't wanna lose her
didn't wanna lose her
somebody stole my gal












1.HAPPY (belated) VALENTINE'S DAY!! It was going to be on time, but I forgot that the site would be in read-only mode until like today, so its kinda late. Sorry 'bout that.

2. Song is Somebody Stole My Gal by Johnny Ray

3. ENDING CREDITS:

Animegirl1984: The way I figure it, if you've only got one other persona living in you, you're in good shape. As long as it doesn't start coming out like during a class discussion or something.
Thanks!

Panther Nesmith: Don't feel too bad, I use the word 'like', like all the time. But I'm nothing like Kitty. Really! Hope ya keep reading and reviewing!

Ishandahalf: Whenever I think of Remy, I automatically think of his comic book self and that's the image that plays through in my mind. Ah well, I messed with his hair in this chapter, tried to do something with it! Thanks for liking the hallmark paragraph, despite my mistake of putting 'golden heart' instead of 'golden crown'. Poopy. I promise, I will mush it up. You'll be neck-deep in mush by the time I'm done. Mushymushymushy. (to anyone else who doesn't like mush –there will be other stuff too…kinda)

Carla: Thank you, glad to see your understanding things. Dis is good.

Dark Elf: hope ya got my letter! Hope ya liked the chappy too!!! I kinda know what you mean about the Antartica thing, I was a little disappointed in Rogue (little, she says, HA) but I couldn't let something like that stand in the way of true love. Right. Plus, I'm a moonie, so that makes it easier to forgive her (though we won't talk about how many times Serena's practically killed Darien…or visa versa) Thanks for the review!

Lotus Pen: Thanks! I'm trying to let things progress and not jump straight into all out mushiness. Hope ya come back and read more!

Ginger: Why thank you! And about the last line…I wrote something suspiciously similar to that for my summary, and but ended up deleting it. It comes off so much nicer in a review, though!

Disturbed Rogue: I promise, keep reading, and your questions will be answered. Keep reviewing, and I'll send you an imaginary fruit cake (much better than real ones). Or an invisible glass of pina colada. Some assembly required.

Kanshisha Tenshi: You liked it! Thanks for reviewing. So, having read the next chappy, what do you think now?

Vagabond: Thank you for the review! I hoped you liked this chapter. I think you should tell me what you think so that I may use that as a) constructive criticism for the chapter, or b) an ego booster Smile and have a happy day. :)

Lady MR: That will come. And there's a good reason, too! You should be starting to see it a little –its has to do with their joining forces with bad guys to find their missing teammates, but I can't go into any further detail now… its all building towards that last scene that started the story, though…Thanks for the review!

Bunny Angel: They are all cool. Really. Just trust me on this. Exhibit A: you reviewed, so you must be. Also…I said so.