The Prince of Thieves

Chapter IV:  Ororo and Remy

By:  Michelle

Gambit stared at the ceiling.  Can time go any slower?  He thought as he waited for Ororo to arrive.  I hate being in the hospital.

He quickly sat up when he heard the door open.  He leaned back on the bed when he saw it was only the nurse.

"I've brought you some lunch."  She said smiling with a tray of food in hand.  "I'm sure you must be starving."

'Oui."  He replied as his stomach growled.  He looked at the tray she set before him.  It wasn't the most appetizing food, but it was more than he had eaten in the last few days.  Besides, beggars can't be choosy.  "Merci."

"Do you need any help eating?"  Nurse Taryn asked.  "I can feed you if you are too weak."

I'm not too weak, but she ain't bad looking.  Maybe, this hospital has its perks.  "Oui."  He gave her one of his innocently charming smiles.  "Gambit could use some help."

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"PIZZA'S HERE."   Logan announced as he placed numerous boxes on the cafeteria table.

With the way the students attacked the pizza, you would have thought they were being starved to death by Kurt and Logan. 

Kurt sighed and picked at the slice he managed to get.  He wasn't really hungry.  He wanted Ororo to be backed home.  Being away from her was killing him inside. 

"Yeah like."  Kitty said to her friends.  "Do ya'll like think with Storm's mystery man coming here that I might totally have a shot with Mr. Wagner?"

Rogue rolled her eyes.  Her friend's crush on Kurt was the most annoying thing.  Alls the girl could talk about is Kurt.  "No Kitty.  I think he's in love with Ms. Munroe."

"I so have a shot."  Kitty replied ignoring Rogue's comment.

Rogue looked over to Kurt.  He looks so depressed.  "Kitty. Look at him.  How can you think that way?"

"I know."  Kitty smiled.  "He's so cute when he has a pouty lip."

Rogue sighed in defeat and slipped off her gloves to eat her pizza.  Her heart sank slightly as her friends back up a bit.  They didn't do it to be mean or anything, but they knew her mutation wasn't something to take lightly. 

"Rogue, check this out."  Bobby said as he pulled off a pepperoni from his pizza.  "Hey Piotr!  Catch!"  He laughed as the pepperoni stuck to his friend's forehead.

Annoyed, Rogue wiped her hands and stood up.  "I swear Bobby.  You're so immature sometimes."  She said less than amused.  "I'm going in the rec room to play some pool if you grow up anything soon."

Bobby shrugged it off as another one of Rogue's Logan moments

Piotr pulled the pepperoni off his forehead and threw it at Bobby.  Instead, of hitting him, it missed him completely, hitting one of the students at another table.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"No more."  Gambit said pushing the food away.  Normally being fed by a beautiful woman was quite a turn on to him.  It was at first.  But after a while, it wasn't making him as happy as it thought it would.  The food sucked for starters, but every time he thought of Ororo walking in the room made him sick to his stomach.

"Ok."  Nurse Taryn said as she placed his half eaten tray on a small table next to the bed.  "It's going to be right here if you want more.  I'm going to go check on the patient in the next room."

"D'accord."  He replied and lay on his side facing the door.

What if she is mad at me?  He thought.  I didn't even call her when I got back to the states.  She was probably so worried.  Then, she hears about the accident. 

He took a deep breath.  I certainly got myself in a mess this time.  I should have listened to her.  But, no.  I don't belong at NO school.  She's going to fuss at me about being stupid and not listening to her. 

I didn't mean for this to happen.  He thought as he fought back the tears in his eyes.  Why did I take that job?  I knew something wasn't right with it.  God, I'm so stupid.  I can't let Stormy know.  She'd be mad at me.  Besides, she doesn't need to be in the middle of my messes anyway.

He closed his eyes allowing the tears to fall once more.  He never cried for very long.  A few minutes later he was asleep.   

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"Xavier's going to be pissed."  Logan grumbled as he looked at the cafeteria filled with pizza covered students. I step outside for a quick smoke and all hell breaks loose. "ALL OF YOU ARE GOING TO STAY IN HERE UNTIL THIS SHIT IS CLEANED UP."

 "I tried to stop it but they ganged up on me." Kurt wiped off his face.  "The odds were 50 to 1."

"I don't doubt it."  Logan griped as took another glare at the students to enforce his threat.  "Where did the food fight originate?" 

"Take one guess."  Kurt replied as he pulled pepperonis off his shirt.  "Who else would be this immature?"

"DRAKE."

Bobby Drake cringed at the sound of Logan hollering his name.  He was in deep shit now.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

As fast as Ororo parked the car, she was out and heading towards the hospital doors.

"Ororo."  Xavier called from the car. 

She spun around.  "I'm sorry Professor."  She apologized as she went back to the car to help him. 

"It's alright Ororo."  Xavier replied as she pulled his wheel chair out of the trunk.  "I know you are worried about your friend."

"I'm really sorry."  She apologized again.  "I wasn't thinking."

"Ororo, it's alright."  Xavier said as they began their way to the door. 

Ororo opened the door for him as he wheeled his way forward. 

"Did the nurse tell you what floor he is on?" 

"No."  Ororo replied as she tucked her hair behind her ears.  Why didn't I find out information like that?  How could I be so stupid?

Xavier sighed.  The whole way there Ororo was beating herself up like this was all her fault.  It wasn't her fault.  Sometimes things just happen.  "We'll just talk to someone at the desk."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Rogue racked up the balls for another game of pool.  She could overhear Logan's loud mouth coming from the cafeteria.  I wonder what Bobby did this time?  She thought to herself as she lined up the cue ball.

She made a shot and watched the balls scatter across the table.  I guess I'll be solids.  She thought to herself as she continued to play alone.  She was doing well, especially since she didn't have her boyfriend clowning around and distracting her.  She didn't scratch once.  She hit all of the solid balls in without hitting the striped balls in.  She smiled at her success.

She smirked to herself as she looked at the eight ball surrounded by three striped balls.  Now how am suppose to get it in without knocking anything else with it.  She walked around the table studying every angle.  Got it.

Eight ball, Corner pocket.  She make her shot and jumped up when she got it.  I'm getting pretty good at this.  Maybe, I'll have to challenge Logan to a rematch one of these days.  She heard Logan fussing again.  It's definitely not going to be today.  That's for sure.

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He watched in the shadows as his employer waited for his arrival.  The man was impatient, he thought.  I'm already here.  "You needs a better security system."

He's employer turned at the sound of his voice. He met his ruby eyes with his.  "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough."  He replied and stepped out of the shadows.  "Where's my money?"

"You will get the rest of your payment, when you show me the Gem."  His employer said as his chair pulled out for him to sit down.  Another metal chair slide across the room in front of the desk.  "Please, take a seat."

He eyed his employer suspiciously as he sat down.  The man was quite smart for an old geezer and impossible to read emotions from.  The blue bitch on the right was just as difficult to read as well, but the stupid kid playing with the lighter made it know this man wasn't someone to be messed with.

"Where is the Gem?"  His employer asked.

He pulled the wrapped Gem out of his pocket and placed it in the middle of the desk.  His employer picked it up and unwrapped it. 

"Perfect."  His employer said as he admired the Ruby Gem in his hand.  "I must say Gambit.  The description Sabretooth gave me about your skills hardly does you justice."

"Fuck Sabretooth."  Gambit replied.  "Now where's the rest of my money."

"Yes, your payment."  His employer said as wrapped the Gem back up.  "There has been a slight change."

"What do you mean change?"  Gambit demanded.

"I'm very impressed with your skills."

"Skip the bullshit and get to the point."

"I could use a member like you on my team."  His employer said.  "Fight with me.  Join the Brotherhood of Mutants."

"Look Magneto."  Gambit said standing up.  "I'm not interested in your little club.  I want my money and I want it NOW."

Magneto kept a straight face as he spoke.  "You are in no position to argue with me."

"What makes you think that?"  Gambit replied as the twirled a glowing card in his fingers.

Magneto stared at him hard. 

Gambit went to step forward but couldn't move his feet.  He looked down.  Oh shit.  He thought as he remembered he was wearing knee high metallic boots.  He felt his body armor tighten.  Then, he was forced back in the chair.  "What do you want from me?"

"Just your service in the Brotherhood."  Magneto said again.

Gambit eyed him with hatred.  "What's the catch?"

"No catch."  Magneto replied and leaned back in his chair.  "Just your services to my team."

Bullshit.  That is the catch.  "Fine."  Gambit replied.  "I'll be a part of your team."

"Good."  Magneto replied as he released his hold on him.  "There is a room ready for you.  Mystique and Pyro can show you where it is."

Gambit stood up and picked up his bag he left in the corner.  Then, he followed Mystique and Pyro to the room. 

"Make yourself at home, Gambit."   Mystique said as she opened the door. 

Move Bitch.  Get out the way.  Gambit thought as he pushed past her.  He turned to see Pyro glaring at him.  "Do you mind?"  He asked and slapped the door in the kid's face.

He dropped his bag in the corner and plopped down on the bed.  Magneto was going to pay.

Ororo walked in the room with Xavier following after her.  "I thought you said he was awake."

"He woke up about two hours ago."  Nurse Taryn explained to them.  "He was fighting to get out of the bed.  We were afraid he would hurt himself, so we gave him something to relax him."

"Oh."  Ororo said softly as she looked at her brother asleep on the bed.  He wasn't the same Remy LeBeau she remembered.  He looked like he changed for the worst.  His face was pale with large bags under his eyes.  His hair was dirty and a mess.  He looked like he hadn't shaved for over a week noticing the beard.  Plus, he was so skinny.  She never saw him like this before.

Remy, what happened to you?  Ororo walked over to the bed and reached out her hand to brush his unruly bangs out of his sunglass covered eyes.

He walked his bike a short distance away from Magneto's lair.  It wasn't too far away.  After all, he thought as he walked back to Magneto's lair, He had to run to it in a few minutes.

He looked up at the building. The place was in the middle of nowhere.  No one will notice what he had planned.  If Magneto wasn't going to pay him, he was going to make Magneto pay. 

He placed his hands on the building and watched as the spot he touched began to glow pink.  He clenched down on his teeth as he concentrated harder causing it to spread.  He had never charged anything this big before. 

Just before he thought he was going to pass out, he let go and ran as quickly as he could to his bike.  When he jumped on and started the engine, he could hear the explosion beginning.

He tore away on his motorcycle as Magneto's lair began exploding behind him.  He took a glance back, to see three metal spheres fly over him.  That couldn't be good. 

Ororo brushed back his bangs and he jumped under her touch.  He sat up in the bed breathing heavily and sweating.  

"I'm sorry baby."  He heard a familiar voice say.  "I didn't mean to scare you."

He pulled off his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes.  "Stormy." 

Ororo sighed at the use of that nickname.  She decided she would fuss at him later for it.  "Hey Gambit.  How've you been?"

"Been better."  He replied softly as the nurse began to unhook the IV from his arm.  "You come save Gambit from hospital.  He don't be liking it here."

"Yeah."  She said as she hugged him carefully not to hurt any of his sore spots.  "Professor and I are going to get you out of here."

"D'accord."  He replied hugging back.  He rest his head on her shoulder and looked at the man in a wheel chair.  He quickly let go of the embrace as he made his way towards him.

"You must be the famous Gambit I always hear about."  Xavier smiled and extended his hand.  "I'm Professor Charles Xavier."

"Nice ta meet ya, Monsieur."  Gambit replied and shook his hand. 

"Ororo, why don't you help Gambit get changed while I check on the institute and arrange to take him home."

"Alright Professor."  Ororo replied and watched as he left the room with the nurse. 

Gambit hung his head.  "Gambit sorry he didn't call.  He didn't mean to make ya worry."

Ororo took a deep breath.  "It's alright.  I'm just glad you are OK."  She replied.  "Are you doing alright?"

"Oui."  He lied.  "Gambit fine.  Just tired and hungry."

"Well, let's get you some close on."  Ororo said as she walked over to his duffle bag.  "You aren't going to attract any ladies with that hospital gown."

"Yeah Gambit will."  He replied starting to relax a little more.  "Hospital gown don't be hangin nothing to cover his tight little ass de ladies like."

He has such an ego.  Ororo smiled.  "Let me find you some jeans and a shirt."

"Non, Gambit want his body armor."  He said pointing to the chair. 

"You sure."  Ororo said as she looked at it.  "You wore this when you got in the accident.  It stinks like you have been wearing it for three days."

"Gambit wanna wear it."

"OK.  If you insist."  She replied and began helping him get it on.  She touched his cast arm.  "Remy, about the accident."

"Gambit don't want to talk about it right now."  He replied as he slipped on his trench coat.  "He tired."

"Alright."  Ororo sighed.  Why doesn't he want to talk to me?  He tells me everything.  "We can talk about it later."

"D'accord."  Gambit hung his head.  I can't let her know what really happened. 

"Are you sure you are alright?"

"Oui.  Gambit just tired."  He replied as he yawned. 

"I've taken care of everything."  Xavier rolled back in the room.  "Are we already to go?"

"Yes Professor."  Ororo replied then turned to her brother.  "Do you think you can walk?"

"Oui."  Gambit nodded and tried to stand up.  He was so weak he had to grab on Ororo for support.  "Maybe not."

"It's alright."  Ororo said as she helped him sit back down on the bed.  "I'll get the nurse to wheel you out."

Gambit nodded as she left the room.  He felt very uncomfortable with Xavier still there.

Xavier sensed his uneasiness.  "I'm having one of the guest rooms prepared for you to stay in."  He said as he rolled forward.  "You're welcome to stay as long as you want.  Any friend of Ororo's is a friend of mine."

"Merci Monsieur."  Gambit replied. 

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Logan walked in the rec room to find Rogue playing pool alone.  "Well at least one of you was behaving."

"Why?"  Rogue asked as she looked up.  "What happened?"

"Your boyfriend started a food fight.  And lets jus say I ain't too thrilled about it."  Logan said as he folded his arms.  "Kurt's giving him lecture number two as we speak."

"Do you need help cleaning up the cafeteria?" 

"Na.  You weren't the one who messed it up."  Logan replied.  "I got another thing I'd like you to do."

"OK."  Rogue replied as she placed the pool stick on the rack.

"Ro's friend, Gambit Remy something or the other, is coming to stay here for a few days."  Logan said.  "Professor wants someone to prepare the guest room next to my room for him.  You think you can do that."

"Sure."  Rogue smiled.  At least there is one person who treats me like a responsible adult.

"Thanks."