Chapter Five-
Two and a half hours later, before she had to run into anyone else, she decided to walk to school and get there early. And in that half hour before school she found that she could sleep without 'dreaming' when Gambit was awake, as she knew he was now if he hadn't been before. But she also knew that between school, homework, Danger Room sessions, and saving the world she wouldn't have much time for resting. Not to mention the professors' lessons in controlling her powers. The bell that signaled five minutes to first hour classes rang shrilly and Rogue started as the sounds of slamming lockers and loud voices reached her. Then she sighed, rolling her eyes, and grabbed her books on the way to class.
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Rogue had never looked forward to the next hour as much as she did right now. Lunch hour. She stared at the board with half-lidded eyes and the teachers' annoying voice became little more than a buzz as she spaced out again. Her gaze turned to the window, eyeing the large tree in the side yard, and she got that feeling that someone she couldn't see was watching her. 'So beautiful, chére,' a voice sighed in her mind, 'Come outside. I can't wait an hour.' She knew who it was but the urge, the need, was too powerful and compelling.
~Rogue, don't go~ Little Miss Perfects' voice said into her head. ~You know he's the enemy- it would be traitorous to the team. And you can't skip class, especially now the world is aware of mutants, it would look bad~ A flush of anger lit her features and her fists clenched as her eyes came fully open. What, you don't have enough to do teaching, so you get into my mind? she hissed mentally. ~Rogue, the professor and I both heard your mind screaming, storming, last night and we are worried. We believe this thing with Gambit is just throwing your mind deeper into chaos and making your escalating powers more dangerous, so…~
She seethed inwardly, WE?! Oh, how easily you tack the professor's name on to validate your opinions. Well, I don't buy it. And it gives you no right to invade my privacy, my mind. I told you once, Grey, STAY OUT OF MY HEAD!! With that, she built up her mental shields and hurled a powerful psychic blast at Jean, not thinking of the power she used. Tightening her jaw in attempt to keep her anger in check, she asked her teacher for a bathroom pass as she set up a new row of equations. Then, shoving it in her pocket, she sent a mental apology to Kitty for skipping out on her and phased through the front doors with her back pack.
Then she reached the tree, looking around, and without missing a beat, Gambit leapt down to be in front of her. "Bonjour chérie. Nice day, ain't it?" he asked with a flirtatious smile, his red-on-black eyes dancing. Rogue looked away from his magnetic gaze to his motorcycle, which was parked nearby with two helmets on it. "How did you know I'd come?" she asked with a raised brow, crossing her arms. Her anger seemed to drain away. That damn smile just widened a bit, tugging at corners of his arrogant lips, and he stepped closer- shuffling his card for lack of something better to do. "Didn't know, jus' hopin'. Remy saw how bored an' frustrated you were, waitin' fo' lunch time, an' thought he'd rescue you." She smirked, "Like you did last time?"
Gambit chuckled slightly at that, "Nothin' like dat, and not quite so far, jus' a little ride 'round town an' maybe a stop at a nice Southern restaurant." Rogue hesitated, her mind suddenly blank. Wasn't there something about him she was supposed to remember? Then she thought of Jean and her superior, know-it-all attitude. "Let's go." The Cajun seemed pleased, stroking her cheek softly before she could think to stop him. "I was hopin' you would say dat, chére."
He climbed onto the red and black motorcycle and held out a hand for her to get on behind him. Her heart beat faster and she took it, his hand gently squeezing hers for a second before releasing it so she could get a better grip. "Hold on, petite," he laughed as he took off on high speed. She quickly wrapped her arms around his waist. Oh boy.
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It felt like she was flying, the breeze rushing through her hair then passed her face and clothes-the soft hum and rumble of the bike. Rogue had closed her eyes and leaned closer in, for once enjoying something without thinking of the consequences- she could feel him as an extension of herself and it was wonderful. Why had she ever resisted? Oh yeah. Her eyes snapped open and she tried to speak past the lump in her throat. "It's been a little over an hour, maybe you should just drop me off at the institute- I don't feel like going back to school."
She loosed her arms and pulled back so she wasn't practically wrapped around him, and hoped he hadn't noticed how shaky her voice was.
He nodded, sighing quietly, then cleared his throat, saying with mock nonchalance, "Too bad, chérie, Remy was lookin' forward to lunch wit' his belle fille." Rogue chose not to correct him, thinking that his voice didn't sound so steady despite his usual light air, and almost missed the slight exhalation of a breath that he'd been holding. The motorcycle stopped in front of the mansions' gate, too soon or not soon enough she couldn't decide, and he helped her off, not letting go of her hand as he gazed into her eyes seriously. And time seemed to stop as she gazed back. 'He has such calm eyes,' Rogue thought. 'Dark, burning, beautiful eyes with a kind of quiet, confident strength that could draw a girl.'
She had the impression that he would defend what was his, protect it from harm. Annoyed, she looked away. She had learned to fight for herself a long time ago, she didn't need anyone to look after her. She could take care of herself, with no help from anyone. Rogue pulled her hand away, and hoped he wouldn't say anything and destroy her resolve. "Goodbye… Gambit," she said, turning to leave. She'd almost been tempted to call him by his real name, the name she used only in dreams- where he was a lover not an enemy. "Thanks for the ride." As she started to walk away, she heard him murmur, "A bientot, chére." See you soon, dear one. Her steps quickened and she tried not to care.
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A/N: Yeah, fifty reviews! Oddly, though, on my stats sheet it only says thirty-seven and I'm not getting any mail from fanfiction.net- anyone know what's up with that? Anyways, thanks everyone. Later, Cajunbelle