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Detective Logan had watched Anna Raven enter the apartment, her face twisted in surprise, astonishment even. This confused Logan. Sure, the place was nice, but she dated Remy LeBeau, she had seen many expensive things before. Then she fell, fainted, blacked out, and this confused Logan even more. He saw several policemen rush to help her. They carried her down the stairs to the living room couch and began checking for a pulse, and something that would identify her. Logan pushed them away, explaining who she was and why she was here.
Damn it! Now I have ta wait for her ta wake up! Logan growled to himself. But there was one good reason she had fainted. It gave them more time, or at least it gave Drake and Summers more time. He had sent the two cops over to Ms. Raven's apartment in her absence, certain that LeBeau was hiding out there. Hopefully they would find him.
Logan began to pace, never a patient man.
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It had only been a half an hour since Anna had left, but already Remy was bored. He lifted himself off her bed, heading for her bookshelf in hopes of a book that could hold his interest. His fingers were skimming along the books bindings, when he detected a faint noise. His feet padded gently on the carpeted floor without making a single sound.
The noise was becoming louder, it sounded as if the doorknob was being played with. Amateurs, Remy thought, before making himself hidden.
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"Come on Bobby, we haven't got a lot of time here!" Scott Summers hissed.
"Yeah, while you breathing down my neck isn't making me go any faster!" Bobby retorted in a hushed whisper. Finally, they heard a click, and the door popped open a crack.
"Ok, we're on the 12th floor, so if he's in here, this door is his only escape, so Bobby you stay here," Scott ordered.
"You know Scott, you are the same rank as me, despite your consistent bossing me around, and I don't have to listen to you." Bobby crossed his arms at this.
"Bobby this isn't the time, so will you please just stay there!
"Fine, fine. Go pretend to be hero.
Scott took off in the direction of the bedroom, leaving Bobby alone in the fairly large living room. Scott hadn't even been gone a minute when Bobby felt a sharp pain shoot through his neck, the world around him going black.
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Remy had watched the two officers bicker, thankful that they decided to break apart. As soon as the one with the glasses had taken off, Remy jumped down from his position in the rafters, landing with grace and pure silence right behind the cop guarding the entrance. He reached over, pinching a pressure point on the officer's neck, catching him as he passed out, and placing him gently onto the ground, before exiting out the front door.
He had tied his hair up, hiding it beneath a low evening hat. The rain snapped against his face as he stepped outside, and he pulled his trench coat tighter around himself. Today it would be a curse to be famous, he knew the media had spread his supposed guilty actions, and that anyone on the streets might recognize him. He slipped on a pair of sunglasses, heading towards the only other safe place he knew. He only wished he had been able to leave a note for Anna.
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On no, she thought. Perhaps it was fate, or maybe, he had followed her here. She knew that wasn't a very good possibility though, and instead smiled and waved in his direction.
She was attending a gala, a get together for every X-team, in order to catch up and share notes. The teams were a secret branch of the government, headed and founded by Professor Charles Xavier, whose mansion she now stood in. There were several teams located around the world. Their main objective was human/mutant relations, but spy work was often an integrated part of the job description. It was an honor to become part of the team that resided at Xavier's mansion; it meant you were at your highest skill level. She was not part of that team, but rather another branch residing in New York City.
If he were here, that meant he was on a team. Curiously she wondered which one, she had never seen him before.
He had reached her position by then and he stood handsomely tall in front of her, dressed impressively in a black Armani suit. He had let his hair down, and it hung long, stray bangs falling in front of his eyes.
"Well chere, I'd say dat dis be a surprise t'see ya, but it ain't." He gave a cocky grin at her bewildered expression.
"Whaddya mean it ain't Cajun? Did y'follow me here, because Ah really doubt that y'all are a part of one o'the teams.
"I always hate t'disappoint de ladies Rogue, but as a matter o'fact, I am part of one o'the teams.
"Okay, so Ah take it that's how y'all know my name? What team are ya a part of?
Before he could respond, someone shouted the name Remy from across the room. She watched Remy give an unenthusiastic look towards the dark haired female, and sighed. "Sorry chere, I gotta go.
"Girlfriend?
He didn't answer, but instead put back on his charming smile, asking instead, "Would y'save me a dance for later chere?" He didn't even give her a chance to respond, as he was already heading for the other woman.
Remy huh, she thought. She didn't recognize the name, still unsure of what team he resided on.
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Scott had finished searching the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen without a sign of LeBeau. Heading back to his partner's position, he noticed the front door open, and no sign of Bobby.
Great, don't tell me his attention span roamed out into the hallway and away from his mission again, Scott grimaced. It was then that he noticed the body lying crumpled on the floor. Slowly, afraid of what he was about to discover, Scott headed towards the unmoving lump. It was Bobby.
"Shit!" Scott cursed, quickly checking Bobby's pulse, before running out the door and down the hall.
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The gala began with a large buffet dinner held in the Grand hall. The dining table was enormous, able to seat all 44 members. Rogue seated herself next to Lorna, one of her current team members.
"Hey Rogue. Man, don't you look gorgeous tonight!" Rogue blushed slightly at this, glancing down at the form fitting dark red evening gown she wore. "Did you come with a date?" Lorna teased in a hopeful tone. For a year now, she had been trying to help Rogue cope with past events, but to no avail.
"Lorna you know this is only a meeting for X-members.
"I know, but look around at all the good looking men this job offers. Actually, scratch that, don't look at all of the men, just look at THAT one." She indiscreetly pointed a finger towards the head of the table, where Remy was seating himself. Rogue's eyes went wide.
"God, isn't he sexy!" As she said this, Rogue couldn't help but stare, and she felt the blood rushing through her veins. He was sexy. He was undeniably gorgeous. She watched him strike up conversation with the white haired woman across the table, Rogue assumed to be the weather witch Storm, as he fingered a glass of red wine.
"Do ya know him Lorna?
Lorna looked at her like she was crazy. "Rogue, that's Gambit.
Rogue nearly spit her wine back into her glass. "That man is Gambit? Xavier's right hand man?
"The one and only. Why are you so surprised?
"No reason, its just, well, Ah've never seen him, he never comes ta these things.
"Yeah, I hear he gets away with a lot, being the charmer he's rumored to be and all. Either that or he is off on missions, I mean, he is one of the most skilled X-Men.
Rogue took a quick swig of her wine, finishing it off, before reaching for the bottle to pour more. Lorna's attention had been taken away by her boyfriend Bobby upon his arrival, and Rogue was left to stare at her food, suddenly not hungry. Xavier wheeled his way in, placing himself at the front of the table, near Gambit. As he was giving his welcoming speech, Rogue's gaze drifted again to Remy. His eyes instantly caught her own, as if pulled to them. He gave her a small, but comforting smile, instead of his characteristic suave one, before looking back at Xavier.
The rest of the dinner passed in slow motion, Rogue hardly touching her food, interacting only slightly with those around her, as she downed glass after glass of wine. Her invulnerability made it easy to drink so much without getting sick. She was just now getting buzzed. She noticed those around her rise from the table, either heading to the dance floor, or to mingle with old friends. Rogue chose to stay at the table, tracing her gloved finger along the top rim of her wine glass, lost in her thoughts.
She heard the chair pull out, but gave no acknowledgement to whoever it was next to her.
"A woman as beautiful as y'should be out dere dancing."
Rogue gave a faint smile. "Tell meh Gambit, since when did we start lettin' thieves join the X-teams?" With that she looked up into his eyes, but they did not reveal his reaction to her words.
"I think we may of gotten off t'a bad start chere." He leaned closer, once again invading her bubble, her protection against the world she could not touch. "Do y'think we can try again?
"No.
"And why not?
Her look became detached, a tinge of sadness welling in her large emerald eyes, as she kept contact with Remy's, his gaze searching her own.
"Because, Ah'd never dream o'doing anything to change the way we first met.
"Me neither chere, me neither.
Remy stood up then, holding a hand out for Rogue. Without words, she took it, taking her first step towards trust, towards love, that she had in months.
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Anna had been awake for 15 minutes now, her black out apparently forgotten by everyone as she endured Logan's gruff way of handling things and his uncaring tone was starting to get on her nerves. The only evidence they had presented to her so far was a silver lighter engraved with the initials RL. Like they really needed her to identify that.
"Can Ah go now detective!?
"Not until we show ya one last thing.
"Why didn't ya show meh it along with the lighter?
Logan sighed. He looked exhausted, and for a moment she saw a break in his tough guy exterior. "Because darlin', ya ain't gonna like it much.
"Just show it ta meh so Ah can head home.
Logan yelled at an officer at the top of the stairs. A few seconds later, the officer appeared by his side, a dress coat in his hands.
"Do ya recognize this?
"Remy wears dress coats similar to that, but so what? Ah mean, even if it was his, he may have just left it here by accident!
"It's not the coat I'm concerned about darlin'." With that, Logan stretched the coat out in his arms, revealing dark red stains soaking up the majority of the cloth. "It's got Ro's blood all over it.
Anna was speechless, fear consuming her, until she realized something. "Wait a minute. Did you just call Ororo, Ro'? Only her friends call her that!
Logan looked stunned before quickly replying, "She was famous Ms. Raven. I probably just picked that up from a newspaper or radio station.
Before Anna could respond, an officer came running into the room, unaware of their conversation, or even Anna.
"Sir, officer Drake has been attacked, presumably by LeBeau, but Summers found no trace of him in Ms. Raven's apartment! A search within the parameters is in effect.
Anna's eyes narrowed in shock as well as anger. Logan closed his eyes, waiting to deal with the woman's unavoidable tantrum.
"Ya lured meh here! Damn you detective, give meh one good reason ta help ya anymore than Ah have!
The officer who had blown their cover, stuttered, "Is this Ms. Raven sir?
"What do ya think bub! Now go find something else ta do before I get real angry!
"Yes sir!" He said, while quickly retreating.
Logan turned to Anna, her eyes blazing. "You want a good reason darlin'? How bout the death of yer friend? Ain't that enough?
"Ah love Remy detective, and Ah ain't afraid to admit it. Ah won't help turn him in, not when Ah know he's innocent!
"Not even if he could help us in the case? Even if he didn' do it, he may still have evidence against the killer. He must have some reason for runnin' from us, and it better be good! Now go home, yer pissing me off!" Logan spun around, heading towards one of the large floor to ceiling windows.
Anna exhaled, her breath haggard. She thought back to her most recent vision, and sighing stood up. She was beginning to feel a strain on her mental health and wanted nothing more than for this entire thing to be over with.
She walked over to Logan, quietly reassuring him. "Look, Ah still won't help turn Remy in, but if Ah see him again, Ah'll try to convince him to turn himself in.
"Fair enough darlin'.
"Good night detective.
"Night' Ms. Raven.
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They had danced in each other's arms all night, with no trace of the dark haired woman he had run to earlier. She knew a lot of people were staring, curious about the couple.
She knew the stories about Gambit. He was a charmer, a ladies man, never one to fall in love, yet his eyes belied this fact, made her uncertain of it. As everyone began to separate, ready to head home, Remy had asked her to join him at a favorite spot of his. She had been hesitant to say yes at first, guilt filling her insides, but she brushed it aside, and grabbing her coat, followed him outside.
He drove a motorcycle, and she could tell he was impressed when she didn't protest or complain, but rather, climbed on behind him, her slender arms wrapping around his waist. It only took them ten minutes to reach his spot, and Rogue reluctantly let go of Remy, sliding off the bike. He grabbed her hand, and they walked partially down the steep hill, before Remy chose a place to sit. The area was lit up by the full moon and it's vibrant stars.
They sat side by side, without touching. Rogue stared at the stars, but knew Remy was watching her, obviously not trying to conceal his blatant attraction to her.
"Why can' y'touch chere?
Her expression faltered, but only slightly. "Ah don' think your supposed ta get that personal on the first date sugah.
"Date, huh chere?
He watched her blush, a glorious red enveloping her pale cheeks.
"It's just, I noticed in your file dat just a year ago, y'had control over your powers. Thought it was strange was all.
"Why the hell were ya looking through my file Cajun?" She turned as she said this, questioning him with her eyes.
"For de same reason I was sneaking into your place Rogue.
"And what's that?
"Well chere, Professor Xavier and I were looking t'recruit y'to de X-Men.
Rogue's mouth shaped itself into a large grin, and Remy couldn't help but admire her smile once again.
She lay back against the grass, overwhelmed by the news. She had always dreamt of becoming an X-Man. Her eyes began to brim with tears.
"Oh Remy, after the way this year went, Ah needed something good like this ta happen. Thank ya so much," she choked.
Remy rolled onto his side, facing Rogue, he pressed his body up next to hers. He reached one gloved hand out, cupping the side of her face with his palm.
"It be dis thief's pleasure chere.
"Remy, Ah -
"Shh cherie." Remy's fingers grazed over her bare lips. He let go, noticing the disappointment etched on Rogue's face as he did so. He stood up, brushing grass from his suit. A sly glint took over his eyes then.
"Ready t'go become an X-Man chere?