Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men, etc.
Jean looked up from the couch as she heard the word "poker". Oh no! Nobody warned her!
She nudged Bobby, pointing at Sidney sitting down at the table and Gambit shuffling with even more enthusiasm his cards.
"Er Sidney - I don't think it's a good idea for you to play!" Jean spoke out, getting on her feet and moving towards them.
"Why not?" Sidney asked amused. All she wanted was to have some fun and Gambit seemed the perfect partner.
"Cause number one rule here - " Suddenly spoke out loud Wolverine from behind his newspaper. " -Is NEVER play a card game wit' the Cajun. Ya'll always lose, 'specially you!"
Logan flipped down the paper revealing his face and a broad smile.
Sidney was even more eager to play against Gambit now that everyone had warned her not to.
"Oh come on! He can't be that good!" Sidney then turned back to face Gambit. "I'll even play you for money!"
Gambit stopped shuffling the cards, his red-on-black eyes gazing right back at Sidney's. She felt uncomfortable for a few seconds, seeing how serious his face had become.
Jean's words suddenly seemed to have sense, maybe she shouldn't have accepted Gambit's innocent poker game. After all, didn't Rogue warn her not to give in to him? Seeing Gambit's eyes still locked on hers, he finally bent over to her and approaching her ear, he whispered in a mysterious way.
"What'er y'want, chere, what'er y'want! But dere's one condition!"
"I'm fine with that." Sidney answered quickly, not daring to look up at him. This was the closest he had ever been to her when they weren't actually fighting.
Oh God, his smell! Sidney inhaled secretly the Cajun's scent closing her eyes. Spices and - I don't know what but it reminds me of home.
Gambit who was still leaning forward to her suddenly pulled back at Sidney's words and his composure became more - threatening?
How can she trust him so blindly! Jean thought to herself as she remembered how long it took her to trust the Cajun thief.
"Don't y'wanna know b'fore?" Gambit was surprised by Sidney's indubitable trust but he knew how to turn it to his advantage.
"Ok, go on."
Gambit's eyes once again looked deep into her own in a very serious manner. "If I win, ya'll have t'answer all my questions 'bout you."
"I knew there was something fishy under that innocent card game!" Bobby followed by Jean, was curious to know how the card game would end and had approached the table while Logan stayed in his armchair reading the paper.
Rogue entered the rec room, wondering what the gathering was all about, but Bobby told her to be silent. Jean though was not happy by Gambit's deal.
"Don't listen Sidney. You don't have to play with him you know."
Sidney had not lifted her eyes from Gambit's. Why do I trust him so much. Somehow I feel attracted to him, like I already knew him.
She remembered the first time she had met Gambit in the danger room and had seen those mutant eyes. Though his face was a serious as she had ever seen him, she knew somehow that to him it was all a big game, a gambit. And she had the intention to follow his lead.
"I'll take the risk Gambit. But then if you lose - "
"Den I'll be all yours f'de night?" Gambit spoke softly in a very controlled way though his eyes were flashing with excitement.
"Woah!" Bobby shouted out again. "Talk about direct attack!"
"Shut'p Bobby!" Rogue called out, annoyed by his constant comments.
Sidney wasn't listening to the others around her. She had blushed bright red but didn't need to think twice about the deal.
It's now or never to get to know him. She thought anxiously, realising what she would have to do if ever she lost. Still she was still intrigued by him, why did she feel like she already knew him? Why did she feel so secure around him only after a week?
"Exactly! You'll have to take me out some place nice tomorrow night, what do you say?" She held out her hand and Gambit took it to his lips and softly sealed the deal with a kiss, smiling knowingly at Sidney, as if she had just fallen into his trap.
"I say, dat's a deal!"
The others around them though had gone dead silent until Bobby again suddenly shouted. "Well let the games begin!"
All the X-Men huddled around the table where Natura and Gambit would play. Chairs were brought in extra and while they got comfy, Gambit explained the game.
"Ok, so 'ere are de rules. We each have ten grand each. De first t'lose all de money, not only loses ten grand but also de bet! Y'still on?"
"You bet I am!" Sidney looking back at Gambit who was already dealing the cards. She was now more than excited about the game, her personal life being at stake. He looked at his own cards without showing them to the others.
Sidney didn't pick her cards up though. They were left face down on the table. Sidney spoke up before ever picking them up. She had a cunning plan and it just had to work.
"Nope, I'm not betting."
"What?" Bobby was confused at her words.
"I'm not betting this round, my cards aren't high enough. Shuffle again Gambit or this is it." Sidney's tone had become very firm for the first time since she was with the X-Men.
Bobby was astonished just like the others. She didn't even look at her cards! How can she know what she's got!
Gambit slowly picked up all the cards and started to shuffle again. Why isn't she playin'?
Sidney was eagerly looking at the cards while they were being mixed as if she was marking each one of them. Gambit dealt the cards again and picked his up. Sidney just stared at hers once more face down.
"Nope, sorry but I'm out!"
All were surprised again. Bobby was clearly frustrated and disappointed by Sidney's attitude. "What? But you didn't even look at them!"
"How do you want me to win with two kings while he's got a full house?"
Jean gasped at Sidney in surprise while Bobby was dumbstruck. "Are you kidding me?"
Gambit on the other hand kept a passive face. Merde! She's seen th'ough my game! He put his cards down.
"So y'never gonna play or what?"
"Your right we'll never get anywhere like this! In the next round, I'll bet the ten grand on my game but after shuffling the cards, let me deal them out!"
Gambit stared at her bewildered. "No problem, but it won't change anything!"
Rogue sitting next to him was smiling to herself. That's it gal, you show 'im!
Gambit shuffled the card showing the others what an expert he was when handling cards. She'll never see th'ough my technique! I've got her now! He handed the cards to Sidney who dealt them out quickly.
She put all her chips, representing 10.000 in the centre of the table. She was betting the whole lot this time. Gambit smiled back and did the same.
"I see y'10 grand and I raise by one. I'm callin' y'den, whatcha got!"
Sidney took a deep breath and thought of a French saying; "Tout se joue ici, maintenant". She flipped her cards over revealing three aces and two queens.
"Ooh, I think someone's about to get rich!" She smiled at the others who laughed with her. She more stressed than she would have thought. What disturbed her was not to reveal her past so much as knowing Gambit would ask the questions.
If I lose, not only will he ask me about Paris but also more personal stuff, much more personal stuff. She shuddered as she remembered seeing Jean turn into a beetroot after getting tied into a silly questioning game with Gambit.
He had somehow managed to get out much more about her sexual relationship with Cyclops than she was ever willing to say.
"I wouldn't be too sure 'bout dat chere! I have 'une royale quinte flush' right on dis table." One by one, Gambit turned his cards over revealing a ten of hearts, then a jack of hearts, a queen of hearts, a king of hearts -
"And finally de Ace of hearts!" He turned the card over and leaning over to see better, all X-Men saw a two of hearts.
"What? What de fucking two doing here?" Gambit got up quickly looking at the two of hearts on the table and then at Sidney. She got up on her feet as well, slowly and stared right back in his red-on-black eyes. She'd won.
"I saw you place your cards in the packet while shuffling them so I took the liberty of replacing that ace by a two while dealing out the cards. Next time sweetie, you should be more discreet when you cheat!"
A deep silence swept over the rec room before Rogue burst out laughing with Bobby and the others joined in, laughing at the Cajun. Sidney grinning like hell, grabbed her money on the table.
My God, I'm saved, I actually caught the thief! My trick was rather easy though, I can't believe he hadn't noticed it if he really is that dangerous to play with.
Gambit was stunned, he fell back in his chair not believing his eyes. "I can't believe it! She beat me, she fuckin' got me!"
Sidney stepped around to Gambit and patted him on the shoulder as she bent down to whisper in his ear this time.
"Hey cheer up! We get to spend the night together tomorrow in town, remember? I'll be waiting around 8 O'clock. Just now I feel like celebrating my victory!"
Without thought, she kissed him on the cheek and left with the others, who were still crying for joy, to the kitchen where they celebrated with bottles of beer. As she walked, she realised what she had done and laughed at the image of Gambit's surprised look.
Gambit left alone in the rec room was still sitting in the chair, smiling smugly after he was kissed.
He got up and his eyes flashed devilishly in the darkness. He picked up the two of hearts and threw it away as he pulled out from his other sleeve the Ace of hearts. He smiled at it remembering how he had himself switched the two with the Ace before Sidney and so then Sidney had switched them back to their respective places.
She had unconsciously assured Gambit a definite win.
Cheating once again, Gambit had then hidden the Ace up his sleeve and taken from his other sleeve a two of hearts. Well, I guess de dinner wit' de angel looked more fun den questioning her past!
In the kitchen, everyone congratulated Sidney for her performance, even Logan who after much hesitation joined in with his own Canadian beer. Storm had also arrived, hearing the shouts and cries for joy.
"Way to go gal! Did ya see the look on his face!" Rogue was only too happy someone had finally beaten the Cajun at his own game.
"That's definitely a night to remember." Jean added holding up her beer bottle.
Gambit walked in behind, looking half angry and half amused. He served himself to a beer and quietly sat on a kitchen stool.
"You're a fucking good player, where'd y'learn?" He asked Sidney who finally noticed his presence.
She was astonished to see him so soon especially with such a calm and placid composure. His eyes still flashed out as he looked up at her but his face remained extraordinarily like - like Gambit.
No wonder, he's a womaniser as Jean once said. This guy is simply to die for! Sidney rejoiced at the thought of having dinner with Gambit but his amazing insurance even after his loss was disturbing.
The same devilish smile suddenly appeared as he noticed Sidney's bewilderment.
"It's not de end o'de world, chere! Y'beat me once but I'll beat y'next time. Promis! So where'd y'learn?"
Sidney looked at him intently. She was debating about how much she should reveal to Gambit and the others. They all looked intrigued, except Rogue. "She learnt wit' her family Rem'. It's no big deal so give it a rest, will ya!"
"It's ok, Rogue!" Sidney interrupted. "I admit I should have told you before - my aunt use to work in a casino. She had to look out for cheaters and stuff so she taught me a few tricks including bluffing. My grandpa taught me the rest, well poker basically."
Oh, so she was bluffing the whole way! Bobby realised finally.
An awkward silence though had fallen upon the group since Rogue's snappy comment. She hated Gambit's indiscretion, especially with Sidney.
He's always trying tah butt in others people's bus'ness, that swamp rat! She decided though that it was best to break up the silence though.
"Well Ah'm off tah bed! Goodnight!" She gave a quick smile at Sidney and walked out of the kitchen. Jean followed shortly behind.
"Me too! Besides Scott is probably waiting for me in the boathouse. Goodnight!"
As soon as she left, Bobby turned to face the others, a daft smile on his face. "Someone's about to get lucky!"
Storm and Logan rolled their eyes at him but Sidney burst up in fits. Realising she was the only one, she quickly restrained her laughter.
"Sorry - I just thought it was -funny." She looked down at her feet, feeling her cheeks glow bright red again.
Logan got up from his chair and grabbed his leather jacket. "Trust me, when ya've heard the kid's same old jokes over and over again, it won't be." With that he left the kitchen barely muttering a "'Night" behind him.
Bobby's face dropped at Logan's words but Sidney turned around to him and cheered him up. "Hey, I really think you're funny. You made me laugh at couple of times before, you know!"
"Glad to know! Bobby Drake, the class clown at your service!" He stood up straight, playing an act.
Sidney giggled at the comedian. "I realise we've never been properly introduced! Hi, I'm Natura but you can call me Sidney or Sid. I can control the four natural elements. And you?"
Bobby shook her hand and introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Bobby Drake, the X-Men call me Iceman, I guess it's a giveaway! I've been here since I was a teen, I was part of the original five members."
Sidney's eyes lit up at his words. "The original five! Wow, you must have tons of experience. Care to tell me?"
From the other side of the kitchen, Gambit was eyeing the couple suspiciously. Is he hittin' on her? Dat bastard got it all figured out!
Storm, the thief's best friend, on the other hand was happily talking to him. " - therefore the Professor was happy to know - "
She suddenly realised who Gambit was truly looking at. "Remy! Remy! Would you stop glaring at her?"
Gambit snapped back to his discussion with Storm. "Sorry Stormy! But she's new an' I wanna take a good look!" He gave her his trademark grin and his eyes flashed in relish.
"Remy!" Storm continued intrigued. "You charmer! Are you saying that our new member has become your new prey?"
"I'm not de one who said it!" With that he hopped off his stool not taking notice of Storm's last comment "I don't believe you!" and walked up to Bobby who was happily chatting away with Sidney.
"Trying t'get yourself de lady, mon ami?" Gambit interrupted, putting a possessive arm around Sidney's waist.
Bobby immediate response was a cold glare. His stare locked on Gambit's eyes and a staring contest began.
After rolling her eyes at their stupidity, Sidney looked up to Bobby as she tried to figure out what to say but something in his eyes caught her attention. In a fraction of second, a sudden emotion ran across Bobby's eyes before they lowered to the ground.
What suddenly made him look down? Sidney wondered as she saw Bobby turn around, and mutter "Goodnight!" to them. Is it anger because Gambit interrupted him? It's not such a big deal, really - or was it deeper than that - sadness maybe?
She looked back to Gambit who watched Bobby leave the kitchen with complete contempt.
No, it wasn't anger or sadness, it was fear and Sidney knew it. A feeling of disgust immediately mounted within her body, causing her to slip out from Gambit's grip and face him.
"Why did you do that?" She asked angrily.
He shrugged casually to her then he caught her once more around the waist and leaned over so as to whisper in her ear. "So where'd y'like t'go out for our date, chere?"
Though his actions had intensified her anger, the sound of his soft and mysterious voice soothed her. "Oh, so now it's a date? Never had that in mind! Anyway, you pick, I'm not familiar with this town."
Gambit's grip became tighter as his lips once more, skimmed the outline of her left ear. "I like dat idea, Gambit will show you around, chere."
Her heartbeats had increased as their bodies collided because of the closeness. She felt warm and secure in his arms but to her, he was still a stranger and so she pushed him back gently causing him to release his grip.
"Why do you always say chere? You know the correct word is chérie, right?"
"Oh, so now you're a French girl - chérie?" Gambit answered without missing a beat.
His voice had become colder and somehow almost harsh. His question caught Sidney off guard, only steaming up her anger again.
"Don't jump to conclusions!"
"So why don't y'tell me de truth?" Gambit was more than serious now, almost menacing. His arms had dropped to his side and looked deep into Sidney's eyes.
If she was angry, she sure wasn't showing it. His empathy was still useless against her, Gambit was picking up so many confused emotions they were impossible to decipher.
"I'm not the one to sit around and be played! So drop it!"
Storm at this point walked up to Sidney and looked straight into her eyes, looking for answers. "Gambit's question has a point! Excuse me for eavesdropping but none of us know you're real full name. We know nothing of your past whereas I know everything about my other fellow X-Men."
"That's not true!" Sidney retorted. "I answered some of Cyclops stupid questions about me. You just should have been there to listen."
"Don't worry I will be. Scott asked me to remind you that he wants you back in the war room tomorrow morning to continue on your file." The goddess was not about to back down. She was determined to find out everything.
"Oh great, so now you're finally interested in me?" Sidney's green eyes were clouded with anger.
Gambit at that point, sensing the tension mounting too quickly, decided to cut it down. He took Sidney's hands and caressed them gently, as if trying to soothe her again. "Don't be like dat, chere! We just wanna help."
"Well believe or not, you aren't. I'm just Sidney who came to America to see my cousin Sophie, who got shot two weeks ago, ok? Goodnight!"
With that, she pushed Gambit and Storm out of her way and stormed out of the kitchen. She wasn't about to tell them about her old life and wreck everything. She had worked just too damn hard to forget and try to start over again.
PLEASE REVIEW BEFORE YOU LEAVE! Why would Bobby fear Remy? Why does Sid feel comfy around Remy? Why is she just so damn stubborn? You'll find out everything in the next chapter I promise. Yeahh, I finally got to update this next chapter which took a while coz seriously I was lacking of motivation but I did it anyway. Next chappie will be up soon, just as soon as I write it properly which should be before I leave to Greece! Next chapter: Sid goes out for (her date/dinner?) with Gambit! And she practically spills out everything about who she is, etc. See you soon!