Disclaimer: I've got a little black book with my poems in. Got a bag with a toothbrush and a comb in. But no characters.

Star-of-Chaos Yeah, finally. I tried updating chapter eight for days. Okay, two days...so much for dramatics. Putting Pyro in the kitchen, that's probably like putting Edward Scissorhands in the porcelain cabinet; not a very bright idea...:)

Andi I'm over it...no I'm not. I received 108 messages over night back then. All with the same review over and over agian. Ack! Maybe ff thought I would sue and gave me lots of reviews to make it up to me. Not working. I get that too.

Piotr's girl Way over my head, there. The princess bride? Dunno, me not so familiar with. Rhett Butler? The guy from gone with the wind or somethin? Gah, no I can't make Gambit like that...but I might...:)

Streetwise Girl Yeah, confused and headached. And no sign of it getting easier on him...

Enchantedlight Adding Romyness as much as I can. It's kinda difficult, though. Sometimes I just can't help but wondering why Gambit would fall for Rogue. Her crush, I can understand....but his...

Ishandahalf Bad guys knowing could mess up a thing or two, but don't worry, there'll be plenty o' surprise to go round.

Lladyred01 Indeed wid style. That's from the tas, right? Bit o' charm, bit o' style, and voila; Gambit a la carte. I moved along the plot? That's a very nice way to put it....Thanx!

Leann Whole life? I see a few gaps, which are pretty important for the story...It's good he's with Xavier and not Magsie, because Magsie would surely be...annoyed, to say the least.

Bad-girl4 Pyro is highly flammable. Which is generally not seen as a good trait. You like flashbacks; here's more. Much more.

Dark Elf3 Ah, yes, Romy...makes me wish I hadn't promised it...Nah, I'll have a go. Hope you like it.

Rachel (Or Chere) He's gonna get there, some day. About your review of my one-shot: I can't put in a second chapter, cos it would be anti-climatic and against the one-shot policy. :) But I am thinking of new one-shots or short fics. And I also got some new ideas for fics when this one and 'if you can't beat them' are done. So, do not worry...

T. Pizza and a bad movie is good, but not Romy, well not Remy anyway. I'll have them go out for proper dinner in stead, more in Gambit's style, don't you think?

Yersi Fanel Well, he doesn't exactly remember Magneto, he remembers a white haired guy but maybe he'll get there someday. :)

A/N Lots o' Guild in this here story I'm about to unfold from now on. I'm guessing everyone is more or less familiar with the Guilds, but do ask if I get too misty. For those of you all too familiar with the Guilds and Gambit's history with them, this is slightly different.

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When I was so much younger

Fissie

A perfect night. She really was something to look at. Stunning blonde, beautiful eyes and that body...

''Remy? What are you starin' at?''

''Jus' admirin' de view chere. De sunset, de beach, de rocks.'' ~De girl lyin' dere.~

''You didn't by any chance stare at that girl lying there, did y'?''

''What girl? Oh, dat girl. She don' even compare t' y', chere.'' He smiled, they kissed. A perfect night.

Remy woke up from a nice memory. That was a nice change for once. Couldn't all his memories be clear and nice?

He got up, washed, dressed himself and roamed through the mansion. No one was there. Supposedly, the kids had gone to school. It was Monday after all.

He walked down the stairs to the kitchen, driven by a certain need to drink insanely strong coffee. It seemed like a perfect kind of craving for a Monday morning.

Xavier was reading the newspaper and writing down some notes when Remy came in. ''Morn'n.'' More coherent vocabulary was not to be expected. Remy wasn't quite awake yet.

''Good morning. Have you slept well?''

''Oui.'' He poured himself a cup and tasted the coffee. Not as insanely strong as he'd like, but good enough. He was too lazy to make a new batch anyway. ''What's you writin'?''

''A little speech I have to give in a few days.''

Remy started examining the contents of the fridge. He was tempted to go though Logan's cabinet like he had that first day, there was some whiskey in there that would taste real good in his coffee, but since the professor was there he decided against it. The food in the fridge would have to do. He didn't feel like anything sweet, but didn't much feel like making himself bacon and eggs, so he settled for a slice of left over pizza that was kept in tin foil. He smelled at it and examined it to make sure it was still edible. Smelled fine, he saw no visible mould, perfect. Not bothering to put in on a plate, he sat down and started eating.

''Bout what?'' He asked after taking a bite from his cold slice of pizza.

The professor looked at him a bit oddly but answered. ''About the relation of mutants with humans.'' Was that kid really eating days old cold pizza?

''What about it?''

''You do not remember what the situation is like?'' Xavier hadn't really discussed what it was his school existed for, other than as place where mutants learned to control and use their powers, because he feared anything he would say about their fights against mutant haters and such would bring back memories of Magneto.

''Yah. Mos' humans don' like mutants much.''

''His _name_ is Remy!'' His anger filled voice filled the study.

''He's one o' dem muties.'' One of the men said.

''I noticed.'' Remy heard his father say.

''You've brought a curse to our Guild. He'll kill us all!'' That was another man's voice.

''You don't even believe that yourself.''

''It's a demon's chile.''

''He's a ten-year-old, homme, who's been living in the streets all his life. And I am going to change that.''

''It's madness.'' A third man shouted.

''You have nothing to say about the matter...''

All four men suddenly heard a slight thud coming from behind the doors of the liquor cabinet. ''What was that?''

Xavier saw the young man baring a fearful expression on his face. He wondered what it was he was thinking of. Could it be mutant hate directed towards him? He was tempted to take a peek, but decided against it.

Jean-Luc opened the door and saw a little boy looking up to him with pleading eyes and a broken bottle. ''Remy?''

''Sorry.'' He half expected to be slapped and punished for breaking the bottle and having eavesdropped on their conversation.

''How'd y' get in here, fils?'' He had been there a three weeks now and that man already called him his son. Remy really didn't want to screw up, he was getting used to this house. He was getting comfortable.

''Heard y' comin' in an' hid.'' He whispered, still ready to run as fast as he could.

One of the men got ready to slap the kid for eavesdropping but Jean-Luc's firm hand stopped the man in time. ''An' we didn' even notice anythin'.'' He laughed. ''So young an' already so talented. Remy, I'm proud o' you.'' A bit stunned but Remy managed a little smile as he stood up from the cabinet and handed the broken bottle to his now father. ''Go get a towel an' we'll clean dis mess.'' The man gave him a good-hearted grin and patted the kid's head. Suddenly his smile turned into a frightening glare as he stared down at the bottle Remy had given him. ''Y' broke de bottle o' Armangnac.!''

Remy decided to run as fast as little legs could carry him.

Remy smiled.

''Remy? Are you alright?''

''Jus' remembered somethin'.''

''May I ask what?''

Remy saw no harm in it. ''Remembered some people were not so happy wid a, what he call me, 'demon chile' hangin' round.''

''Demon child?''

Remy shrugged. ''Makes kinda sense. Wid dese eyes.''

''That's hardly an excuse to call a child a demon.''

''True. Mon pere thought de same. Taught whoever called m' dat a good lesson.'' Remy smiled at that, he did remember his father showing that man a good lesson making a problem about his son being a mutant. More than once.

''You remember him?''

''Faintly.'' That was a big lie. But it was no use telling Xavier who and where his father was if he couldn't go back to him anyway. At least not until he had resolved the entire puzzle that was his past. And being a thief, he doubted his father would appreciate being named to strangers. ''What's you got so far?'' Remy took the note from Xavier and started reading. ''We must strife f'r a world in which mutants and humans can live togeder...'' He snorted.

''You do not believe so?'' Xavier asked. A child who had been called demon should be the first to agree with him to fight for equality, shouldn't he? Of course, he had been with Magneto, so maybe his views differed.

''We are all equal...'' He snorted again and chuckled, slightly bitter, at the rest of the sentence.

''Well, don't you believe mutants and humans are equal?'' He cringed inwardly, knowing Magneto thought of mutants as a more advanced species, but had to ask. ''Are you thinking of the term Homo Superior, used for mutants?''

''Homo Superior?'' The term didn't seem very familiar with him. And in the few days he had spent with these people he had learned enough to find the term pretty stupid. ''Kurt teleportin' when he sneezes, Rogue not bein' able t' touch, you bein' bald. How's dat superior?''

Xavier wanted to comment but decided to stick to the point. ''I do not agree with that term either. We are after all, I believe, all humans, all the same species.''

Remy thought for a bit, as if to remember his own views on the matter. ''Same species, oui. But not de same.'' He remembered a comment he had made once. ''Like rottweilers an' poodles.''

Xavier smiled at the comparison and dared asking. ''Who's who?''

Remy looked at him, shrugged off the answer he had in mind and continued. ''No matter. We're not de same.''

''But does that mean we have to be treated differently? In this speech I try to make people understand not to fear us, not to hate us. To understand us. There's growing hate and it needs to be stopped. Surely you will agree with me.''

''Don' really remember carin' much 'bout de subject, mon ami.'' He shrugged it off, but didn't seem so sure about his answer, Xavier was sure of it. So he continued to elaborate his views on the mutant issue.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Maggie's...sorry, Magneto's liar

''Guess who I saw at the mall yesterday.'' A more than just simply excited Pyro burst into the quiet den and jumped on the sofa where his teammate was sitting..

Colossus didn't even look up from his book. ''Gambit.'' He said dryly.

''How'd you know?'' Pyro took a match and lit the fireplace.

''The look in your eyes.'' He still didn't take his eyes off the book.

The fire started roaring a bit too much, which was a clear sign that the Australian was getting annoyed. Or happy, it's hard to tell, but in this case annoyed. Extremely annoyed. ''You make it sound like I'm a lovesick sheila.''

''Oh.'' Colossus had just discovered the light enjoyments of sarcasm.

''I'm not!'' Fire started to dance around him but he quickly calmed himself. ''Just happy to see my best friend is all right.''

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

The afternoon had reached and Xavier, Strom, Hank and Logan sat in the den drinking coffee. Remy was also there, by the window, reading a book Xavier told him to read after their little talk about equality. It was a pretty boring book and he was looking at the trees outside more than reading it.

Rogue and Kitty came in.

''We're back.'' Rogue said and looked at the Cajun in the windowsill.

''Hi.''

He beamed her a smile sat up straight and forgot all about the book. ''Hello, chere.''

She approached the window and looked at him. An examining look. 

''You look much better wearing that.'' Rogue wasn't really talking to him, she was just assessing that she had made a good choice. Truthfully, she had to admit that she had great taste in picking out clothes for him. 

He grinned. ''My good looks ain' nothin' t'do wid clothes, chere. You should know.'' The comment was loaded with double entendre and he had made no attempt to hide it. Rogue instantly blushed, underneath all that makeup and wished no one had heard that comment. Unfortunately everyone in the room had heard him and saw her blushing. Wolverine almost choked on his coffee Kitty's jaw had dropped a few inches and the rest of the adults gave both Southerners very peculiar looks. 

Rogue tried to save the situation before Wolverine regained breath. ''So, you got used to the shoes yet?'' Now he couldn't possibly make an embarrassing comment on that. Could he?

''Oui.'' Rogue was happy to see no comment came, but Remy wasn't yet through talking. ''Why're not wearin' y'r dress?'' It was an innocent question. It deserved a true answer.

''I'm saving it for a special occasion.''

''Dinner wid me special enough?''

Okay, he was determined to embarrass her today. Well, she wouldn't be beaten just like that. ''No.'' She said casually. ''Dinner at KFC is not special enough.''

He put a hand to his heart. ''Chere, y' wound m'. I'd never take y' dere.''

''And nothing Cajun.''

''Okay. Can do.''

''No French food.''

''Right.''

''No Mexican.''

''Chere, 'f y' jus' wan' take-away Chinese jus' say so. I don' care what we eat 'f I get t' see y' in dat dress again.''

She arched her eyebrows. ''That sounds pretty desperate.''

Remy inched closer. ''Y' haven't heard what I'd do t' see y' widout de dress.'' The adults petrified. Oh yeah, the guy had made it his daytime job to embarrass her; she just knew it. But she couldn't let it show. So, she did what she did best. She punched him in the stomach.

''Dat mean were on f'r dinner?'' Remy tried to sound casual, but he didn't really succeed. ~Note t' self; don' ever stand dat close t' her 'f y'r gonna say somethin' like dat ever agian.~

''At seven. Meat me in the hall. Don't be late.'' Now, don't ask why she agreed to a date, because she didn't even know that herself. But she did. She smiled, seeing the Cajun in pain, and made one last cocky comment. ''You do look real smart in that.''

''You're looking real smart, cher.'' The girl in front of him was tying his tie as he stood in front of the mirror, wearing his Armani suit they had bought a few days ago for the dance. He was not happy.

''Can' I wear m' armor under it?''

''It's just a party.''

''Dat ever stop dem?''

''This is different. You're here with me.''  She explained.

''Dat ever stop dem?''

''They won't do anythin'. They won't even know we were there.''

He took her hands and looked her in the eyes. ''Belle, y' might not have noticed, but our families know 'bout us.''

''No they don'. We've kept dis well hidden.''

''Y' think m' pere don' know 'bout dis? Y'r naïve. M' pere probably knows, your pere probably knows, oh de entire New Orleans underground probably knows by now.''

She pulled herself out of his grasp and continued tying the tie. ''My brother doesn't know.''

''Yah, your broder is a...''

''Shut your mouth 'bout my brother, cher.'' She sneered. ''I'm trying to get that tie straight. Need I remind you what else I can do wid it?''

Confused Remy left the room and headed for his own room. He really needed to know what the deal was with this party, with the dance. It was the same girl from his other memories and the same Armani suit. He had remembered having worn that when someone threatened his life for making advances at his sister. This was the girl. ~Belle.~ That was her name. So, he had gone to the dance with this girl, ~Belle~, with Belle and he had been threatened by her brother there. If only he could remember more details of it. It seemed like an important memory, somehow. It was pretty obvious they weren't supposed to be seeing each other. Both their parents knew, he said that, and the entire New Orleans underground...both their parents...She knew his father was a Thief...~de New Orleans underground~... And he knew his father would not like them dating. What did that make her? It was at the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't recall.


*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Kitty was on the verge of exploding. She had heard the conversation between Remy and Rogue and she needed to know if she got it right. She just needed to know.

So as soon as they reached their room she yelled in a screeching voice. ''You saw him naked!'' It was supposed to be a question, but it didn't really come out that way.

''Yeah. So?''

''Wow. Naked.'' More intelligent words did not find her mouth.

Rogue shrugged and opened her closet. ''Yeah. Naked. So? It's nothing special. You can see on TV every day.''

Kitty grinned slyly. ''After midnight on, like, the adult channel?''

Rogue shook her head lightly while taking out her new dress. ''Animal Planet.'' She said dryly. ''Now will you get out? I gotta get ready for dinner.''

''Oh yeah, your date.''

''It's not a date. It's dinner.'' She placed the dress on her bed.

''In a nice restaurant.''

''Wouldn't bet on it.'' Rogue took some shoes from a drawer that she thought would fit perfectly with the dress.

''With a charming Cajun.''

''An annoying Cajun.''

''That you totally have the hots for.''

''That's not true!''

''You're not fooling me, girl.''

''Get out!'' One of the shoes in her hands made it's way towards Kitty, who luckily was able to phase through the door just in time.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Remy had been waiting in the hall for five minutes now, and his mind was floating again.

He really did love his life. This seventeen-year-old thief had it all, and this was one of the best things he could think of. Sneaking in to that house to meet his girl. The thrill of knowing that if he were discovered they would slice him into little pieces and serve him to the gators. The excitement of seeing her reading a book and trying to get as close to her without waking her from her trance. It felt almost felt better than the rewarding kiss he got when he succeeded to reach her. It was the thrill of the moment and this boy was a thrill seeker.

''Hello, Belle.''

Rogue came down the stairs. She wore that black and red Japanese-like dress with black leather heels. No excess jewelry and, to Remy's enjoyment, no excess makeup.

She smirked at his open staring. ''What are you waiting for, Cajun?''

He took her arm. ''Chere, y'r carriage awaits.''

They reached the garage. Remy stepped up on Logan's bike and started it.

''Step on up, chere, don' wan' be late.''

Rogue hesitated. It wasn't Wolverine's style to lend anyone his bike. And certainly not to that Cajun. And most certainly not to that Cajun who was using it for a date with her. ~It's not a date.~ ''Are you sure Wolverine lend you his bike?''

~Lend, lend. What is 'to lend'?~ ''Oui. No problem.''

Well, she wouldn't be the one in trouble if Wolverine noticed the bike missing. ''Alright.''

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

The road was not something Remy was particularly paying much attention to. He was too busy trying to figure out what that stupid dance was all about. He needed to know. ~LeBeau, y'r an idiot. Goin' out on a date an' all y' can do is brood bout some stupid mem'ry.~ He sighed. Why couldn't he just think of nice things? Like that kiss he remembered this morning.

''He said he saw him _kiss_ Marius' daughter.''

''Wonderful!''

''Dat's not wonderful, Mattie. He's a Thief, she's an Assassin.''

''And what better way to bring the Guilds together then with love?''

''It's not love. It was just a kiss. It's a juvenile crush.''

''He's not a child anymore, Jean-Luc. He's sixteen.'' Jean-Luc sighed. ''Talk to Marius.''

''Y' mean I should talk to an Assassin 'bout his daughter being involved wid my son, cos o' a li'l kiss? Dat be suicide.''

''He will listen to reason.''

On top of the stairs a young man was seriously worried about his life. His father couldn't seriously want to talk to Marius Boudreaux. Could he? It would be the end of his life. He had just kissed the girl, well at least as far as his father knew.

~Assassins? Thieves? Oh man. Belle's de daughter of de Assassin Guild Patriarch, Marius Boudreaux.~ He started remembering the feud between their families, more or less. ~An' I kissed an Assassin when I was sixteen.~ His mind began to rearranges all memories. ~Dat dance, dat mus've been when I was seventeen or eighteen.~ So, if he kissed her at sixteen that meant that he had continued seeing her even after his father found out about the kiss. They had kept their relation a secret, but, their fathers being Thief and Assassin Patriarch, how secret could things have ever remained?

Slowly, he started understanding his fear for that dance. If the Assasins would see them together, things would not end in a nice group hug. This made him wonder about why on earth he agreed to go to that dance in the first place. ~Did I have a death wish or somethin'?~

Rogue noticed Remy's sudden reckless driving and wondered if he had some sort of death wish. She tugged his coat. ''Is something wrong?'' She shouted.

They danced. His suit felt too sloppy, he would've much preferred wearing that armor under it. He could just sense al those eyes piercing into his back. He could feel al those infrared dots on his neck. He could sense Marius' dagger piercing his heart.

Why did he agree to come here? Why did he go to these extents to be with her? He always enjoyed being with her, but why risk his life. ~Love?~ Did he love her? Did they love each other?

''Remy? Is something wrong?'' She looked at him with those beautiful blue eyes.

''Nothin'. Jus' thinkin'.'' He managed a small smile.

''Y' mean broodin'.'' She stated, but she didn't mention anything else and they continued dancing.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

They pulled over to a nice crowded restaurant after a half an hour drive.

''A Spanish restaurant?'' Rogue commented with slight sarcasm as Remy parked the bike.

Remy shrugged. ''It's not Mexican.''

''Bienvendios.'' the two youngsters approached the patron and he greeted them.

''G'day t' y' too.''

''You have reservations?'' (A/N once again trouble in accent land. Just imagine the accent, okay? You know, fat r, an h that sounds more like a Spanish j.)

''Yah. LeBeau, f'r two.''

He looked in his reseravtion book and put a cross in front of 'LeBeau, mesa para dos'. ''Muy bien. Pasen por aqui, por favor, dis way.'' He led them through a busy maze of tables to a very nice spot close to the window. It wasn't a particularly romantic restaurant, but the candles and the red and yellow background made it radiate a warm ambience.

''Can I get you anything to drink?'' He placed the wine chart in front of Remy who opened the chart. ''May I recommend de Rioja of 1999?'' (A/N Have no idea if that's a good year, let's suppose it is.)

''Sounds good t' me. Chere?''

''Ah'll stick t' water.''

''Come on, live a li'l.''

''Water.'' She insisted.

Remy turned to the patron. ''Y' heard de girl.''

''I'll sent a waiter wid de menus in a moment.'' The patron left and the two mutants were left alone. Now they had to start a conversation.

''So, the professor gave you money for this?'' She asked. She found it a bit strange but she could imagine Xavier doing such a thing.

''No. Wolverine did.''

''Wolverine?'' Now Rogue was even more surprised. First he lend him his bike and now it turned out he lend him money too. She found that very hard to believe.

''Oui. We went t' Harry's a few days back. Played some poker. Won some money.'' ~Stole some wallets.~

Rogue arched an eyebrow. ''Enough to pay for all this?''

''Oui.''

A waiter came around with the menus. Dinner could now officially start.

They laughed and ate and drank and talked and ate and laughed and talked...Nah, not really. But they did talk about everything trivial they could come up with and they did share some laughs. There were no painful silences and hardly any verbal assaults.

~Never thought Ah'd have so much to talk about. Especially to some Cajun swamp rat.~ A good looking Cajun swamp rat. He looked up at her, saw her staring and smiled at her. She felt a tingling feeling in her stomach. ~Maybe it's the food.~ Right. ~Who am Ah kidding.~ No one. Kitty's words played in her head; 'that you, like, totally have the hots for'. Her stomach seemed to agree with Kitty. Could she be right? ~Damn. This is not good.~

The food was great and the wine was sweet. But the girl in front of him was even sweeter. She acted much nicer than at the mansion. ~Almost amiable.~ And she looked great. ~Beautiful.~ And she laughed ~like an angel.~ Cliche, but true. He felt her staring at him and gave her his most charming smile. She smiled back at him. She probably didn't intent it to, but her smile was sensual, sexy, inviting and ~damn hot.~ Yes. He was very familiar with the feeling he was currently experiencing. ~'M fallin' in love.~ Oh yeah, that feeling too. ~Merde.~ He would also not be able to leave the table right now.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

They came home way past curfew that night and like a true gentlemen Remy walked Rogue to her room.

''Ah had a great time.''

''So did I, chere.''

This was the painful silence right before the kiss, which obviously in this case would not come. Remy did not agree with that. He inched closer and she flinched.

''Don't. You know what'll happen.''

He just smiled and placed a careful but definite kiss on top of her head.

''Good night.''

''Good night.''

He left.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Remy lay on the bed, not being able to sleep. He couldn't stop thinking about the Thieves and Assassins. There was something important missing. The dance, him being kicked out. What was he missing out on?

''Forgive m', chere.'' The pain in his voice was very evident. He knew this was the last time he would sneak into her room.

''I can't.'' Tears filled her eyes.

''Please.''

''Don', Remy. I can't forgive y'. You know that.''

''Yah. I know where your loyalties gotta be.'' He sounded harsher than he meant to. ''But where is your heart?''

''I...I don't know. Where's yours?''

''Dead.'' He grabbed his duffel and left. Whatever came next was not for him to decide. He left not ever to come back. Fate was not being kind to him...His fate...

~Damn.~ The pieces of his past were starting to fall into place and Remy did not enjoy the places they were falling in to.

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A/N Wow, this was a pretty long chapter. Now, I've read this over and over till I got tired of it. So, if you find any plot holes or things that are just too unclear, tell me and I'll try to make a clear summary or something.

And the reason I didn't elaborate the dinner was because I didn't feel like filling pages with 'how was school today?' 'what did you do today?' 'what's your favorite *insert random noun here*'. They had fun and that's what it's all about. :)

Review and I shall continue this tale of confusion.