Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, don't sue.

AN: I'm glad people are liking this, and thanks so much for reviewing! You'll see where I'm going with this soon I think. Hopefully. I haven't gotten a solid idea myself yet, so I could change my mind. I'm fickle like that. ;D

Section 3: Alleyways.

Remy watched as his obsession stepped into view, not three feet away from him. He was shrouded in the inky darkness of the alley so she had no idea he was there.

Letting her take two steps past him, he slunk up behind her and clamped a gloved hand over her mouth, the other snaking its way round her waist.

Gotcha.

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Rogue's heart rate picked up and she suddenly felt uneasy. She threw a glance over one shoulder, but no one was following her. Besides, the soft crunch every time someone stepped in the snow would surely alert her to anyone trailing her.

She ducked her head, watching her boots sink into the glittering powder as she walked.

Then someone grabbed her.

Her first panic was that whoever it was covered her mouth, meaning skin contact, until she noticed gloves. Of course, who wouldn't be wearing gloves in this weather?

She found herself being dragged backwards into the darkness of the alleyway, and reinforced her struggles, heels digging into the slippery ground as she elbowed her attacker in the side.

He swiftly released her, spinning her to face him.

She no longer had to wonder who it was, for all she could see in the blanket of darkness were two smouldering red eyes.

"You!" She hissed, shoving him roughly. "What the hell are you doin'?!"

"Bonjour Cherie," He greeted smoothly, as if they'd just crossed paths in a restaurant or something. "Nice evenin', non?"

"Look, Ah told you ta leave me alone! Do ya not understand?" She settled her fists on her hips, glaring at him in the darkness. Finally, she had a chance to tell him in person to go to hell.

Gambit grinned to himself. She was just so full of southern sass, and her voice… sure she was yelling at him, but it was the most angelic sound he'd ever heard. Plus, she was using the whole reverse psychology thing on him. She obviously did want him to keep on with this charade. Even now he could feel faint wafts of relief mixed in amongst her anger.

"Remy understands, Cherie." He purred softly, "but he jus' can't stay away from such a belle femme."

She growled faintly, the Wolverine in her head ordering her to tear him apart.

"See if ya can get this through yer thick skull: Ah hate ya notes, Ah hate yer stupid playing cards, Ah really­ hate ya comin' inta mah room, and Ah hate… no, make that loathe YOU!" She shoved him again, hard enough to make him stumble back a step, and then turned to stalk away. "So just keep away from me."

Furious, Gambit grabbed her arm and slammed her against the alley wall. He pushed her harder than he meant to and her shoulder bashed awkwardly against the bricks, causing her to stifle a yelp.

His expression immediately softened when he saw her wince, pinning her hands to the wall with his and keeping her still using the rest of his body.

"'m sorry, Rogue," He sighed, shaking his head regretfully. "Y' see what y' make me do? We're meant t' be together, you an' I, when will y' just' accept dat?"

Rogue grimaced and looked away. Her shoulder was throbbing painfully, but she was more focused on the fact he was so close. She could feel the sheer power of his muscles through the trench coat he wore, and the aroma of spices and cigarettes was making her feel almost light headed.

But it was his eyes that were nearly her undoing. His face was mere inches from hers and those beautiful eyes… yes, she had to admit they were beautiful, were glowing with such a scorching intensity that she felt her cheeks heating up.

'He's using that empathic thing, charming you.' One of the psyches in her head warned, but she felt too muddled to work out who it was.

Besides, she didn't think he was. If he was charming her surely he would have let her go by now… Ugh, she should just drain him, his face was so close to hers it'd be easy… but doing it that way might give him the wrong impression. She frowned slightly, trying not to focus on his lips. One little kiss and she'd be able to get the hell out of there.

"Ah don't like ya, deal with it. Now let me go." She tried to tug her legs free but his weight against her kept her pinned.

Gambit released one of her hands, noting the way it automatically raised to push against his chest. She looked so gorgeous with the way her eyes glittered in anger, and some other emotion he was having trouble reading. It certainly wasn't hatred.

He let the tips of his gloved fingers gently skim the side of her face in a tender caress.

"Now, petite, Remy's been hopin' we'd bump into each other t'day." Like luck had anything to do with it. "Wanted t' tell y' 'm gonna be gone fo' a day or two. Didn' want y' worryin' 'bout dis old t'ief when he don't make himself known. I know I promised t' keep y' company, but trust me, it'll be worth it."

Rogue met his eyes, not sure whether to believe it or not. Would he really leave her alone for a bit? It was almost too good to be true even if it only gave her peace of mind for a day.

"Don' worry, I'll be back before y' even have time t' miss me." He winked and kissed the top of her head before she could react, then with a flap of his trench coat, seemed to disappear into the night.

Rogue groaned softly and ran a hand through her hair. What exactly just happened? She finally got her chance to be rid of him and somehow he'd left planning their next meeting. Could it have gone worse?

She walked the rest of the way home feeling even more tense than she had been before. Which was silly really, since she knew it was unlikely he'd be back tonight. What was worrying her now was the fact she couldn't get his eyes out of her head. They really were unique, and he'd looked genuinely distressed when he hurt her. Which was a good sign, right? It meant he wasn't planning to make her suffer physically… just emotionally.

She told herself she was just being stupid. It was probably just that no one else ever really risked getting that close to her and it was kind of a new experience to .. ugh, it didn't matter. Why was she thinking about him? He was still just a creepy stalker and she should be enjoying the fact he was disappearing for a while.

She had more important things to worry about anyway, such as getting to her room without Logan catching Gambit's scent on her. How would she explain that?

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Luckily Logan was on the phone when she got in, explaining to a very bubbly Kitty that Rogue wasn't back yet. He was relieved to hear her come through the door, partially because it was late and partially because Kitty was driving him mad.

"Rogue! Half-pint's on the phone for you." He called to her from the rec room.

She silently thanked Kitty and yelled back, "I'll get it in my room!" and promptly took off up the stairs.

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Gambit was standing on her balcony when she reached her room and watched her chatting to the younger girl for a while.

He was going to miss her over the next couple of days, but he knew he couldn't pass up an opportunity like this. In fact he was surprised Magneto had even agreed to give him the time off. But, hey, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, that's what his father used to tell him.

He kissed his fingers and pressed them softly to the glass.

"Au revoir, mon amour," he murmured, before slipping off unnoticed by the girl eternally in his thoughts. 'You'll thank me for this, Cherie.'

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