The Prince of Thieves

Chapter VII:  Cleaning Up Gambit

By:  Michelle

Gambit stared into the mirror as Ororo walked out the room.  He could barely make out the reflection before him.  It was him, but then it wasn't.

His long auburn hair was messy and knotted.  Usually, he was a tad lazy when it came to shaving, but he had never let himself grow a beard before.  He could smell and feel how disgusting he was, especially since he hadn't bathed or changed clothes in almost a week.  How could I let myself get this way?

He glanced over to the shower.  It looked very inviting.  He unhooked his body armor and pulled it off.  Then, he stripped out of the black body suit underneath. 

As he stood there butt naked, he covered his casted arm in the bag.  Then, he turned on the shower.  As he waited for the temperature to get just right, he undid his pony tail and took one last glance into the mirror before stepping in.

Once in the shower, he stepped under the stream of warm water.  The water trickled down his face and down his rock hard body.  God Damn this feels good.  He thought as he just stood there motionless in the stream.

He grabbed a bar of soap and a face rang hanging up and began cleaning his body.  He cursed having he cast as he cleansed his shoulders and arm.  He worked the lather down his chest to his hips.  He rolled his eyes back.  It feels so good to be clean.  He thought as he finished his legs. 

He stood up and rinsed the lather from off him.  Then, he grabbed the shampoo.  Trying to wash his long auburn hair with one hand was not as easiest thing he had ever done.  Of course, the numerous tangles that seemed like a permanent addition in his locks were not helping matters either.

After minutes of struggling, he finally rinsed his hair out and shut off the water.  He grabbed the towel from the shower rod and began drying himself off.  He wrapped it around his waist and stepped out.

He stood back in front of the mirror again.  He wiped the fog away with his hand.  He felt a little better.  At least I don't feel funky any more.  He thought as he took the bag off of his casted arm.

He walked out of the bathroom and into his room. He picked up his bag and began digging around for his brush, razor, and toothbrush and toothpaste. 

He returned to a lot less foggy bathroom and began brushing his hair into a neat ponytail.  He plugged in his electric shaver and began shaving off the beard into a neat goatee.  He rinsed out the sink and began brushing his teeth. 

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"Alright class."  Xavier said to his students.  "That's the end for today's lecture."

Just as fast as he announced the end of the lecture, his students were practically running for the door.  Apparently physics was not a well liked course at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters.  Especially for Bobby Drake.

She walked down the hallway to her final class.  She held her books tightly to her chest.

"Hey."  Bobby smiled as he began walking beside her. 

She didn't respond.  Instead, she just held her nose in the air and pretended like she never heard him speak at all.

"Rogue." 

She continued to ignore him.

"Rogue."  He spun her to face him.

"What?"  She demanded.

Bobby looked her dead in the eye.  "What's wrong with you?  You never act like this."

"Well, maybe this is side of me you never seen before."  She said so matter of factly.

"You mean besides the fact you are practically dressed like a vampire."

Rogue's mouth nearly hit the floor.  He did not just say that.  I remind him a vampire sucking the life out of people.  She hung her head fighting back tears.  Like my mutation. 

I shouldn't have said that.  "Rogue, I'm sorry."

She shook her head.  "Whatever."  She sniffled.  "Now I know how you really feel about me."  She said and took off down the hall. 

"Rogue."

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Remy walked out of the bathroom with nothing but his towel on.  He looked at the clock on the nightstand.  Damn, I've been in there for an hour.  Wow.

He dug in his bag for something to wear, but that was all put on hold when he spotted his money neatly stacked and secure in a rubber band.  He flipped through the multitude of twenties.  Ten thousand dollars.  He felt his heart rise in his chest.  I can't let Ororo see this.  She'd start asking questions.  He couldn't have her asking questions.

I gotta hide this.  He looked around the room for a good place to hide his stash.  The room wasn't heavily furnished.  It just had a full size bed, nightstand, and a dresser, plus the closet and the bathroom.

Where can I put this?  He looked at the nightstand.  It's not the best hiding spot, but it would be close to me.  He thought as he opened the small draw.  He grabbed an old sock from his bag and shoved the money inside it.  Then, he put in the very back of the draw.  Not a bad idea.  No one would be smart enough to look for money in that funky sock.  I'll just put a few packs of my playing cards and cigarettes to make it look like I'm not hiding anything.

He closed the door and lay back on the bed.  He had to admit he was in a nice place.  Actually, a very nice place.  He would even consider living here if Ororo asked him.  However, he felt his answer should be no.  He wasn't good enough for this place.  He was just a worthless thief.

He sighed.  He leaned over and grabbed his other bag.  He unzipped it and was relieved to find his laptop safe and secure.  Good.  Now where did I put that disk?  He looked in the numerous pockets to find several disks.  There it is.  He plugged in his laptop and waited for it to boot up.

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In the workout room, Rogue ran as fast as she could on the treadmill.  She knew she should be in class.  Plus, apologize to Bobby.  However, she felt better trying to run away from her problems.  She hated her mutation.

Logan leaned in the door fame with a cigar hanging in the corner of the mouth.  "Hey kid."

Rogue stopped running and sighed.  "Hey Logan."  She said softly.  I had to skip class on Logan's off period, didn't I?  "I guess you're here to lecture me for skipping class."

"No."  He said as he walked over to her.  "Professor will talk to you about that."

"OK."  She replied.  "Then, you here."

"You look like you could use someone to talk to."  Logan said as stood before her. 

Rogue looked at him and quickly turned away from his glance.  "You're usually not the talking type."

"And you're usually not the type who is weak."  Logan replied back.  "The Rogue I know doesn't let anyone take her down."

Rogue didn't reply.  She just stood there.

"Just talk to Professor."  Logan said and walked out the door.

A tear rolled slowly down Rogue's cheek as she looked at her bare hands.  Why does my mutation have to be a curse?

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Remy looked at the disk in his hand.  Then, he stuck it in the disk drive. 

Start.  Run.  Open Drive A:

He listened to the different noises his laptop made as it showed the different files the disk contained. 

Gem of Cyttorak. 

That's that ruby I stole for Magneto.  He clicked on the file.

Crimson Gem of Cyttorak.

His eyes widened as he looked at the 3-D model on the screen. 

The power of the Ruby Gem of Cyttorak gives one immeasurable strength and endurance, a massive indestructible body reinforced by an inertia-canceling force field, and an enchantment that renders him virtually unstoppable once in motion.

Unstoppable…Strength…Endurance…Indestructible.  My trench coat.  He jumped out of bed and rushed over to his trench coat on the bathroom floor.  He searched frantically thru the pockets.  Where is it?  I know I had it. 

The accident.  The trench coat dropped from his hands.  He wanted the Gem.  But Why?  He walked back over to his laptop and looked at the screen.  Why would Magneto need the Gem?  He's already one of the most powerful mutants on earth. 

He closed the file and thought for a moment.  Why would Magneto need that Gem?

He plopped down on the bed of the fancy hotel room he was staying at.  It was definitely good to be back in the states again. Of course, it took about a week for him to settle back in again, but life was grand.  He had spent half of his last payment of 50 grand on the hotel room and his new Harley.  But, he had the feeling he was forgetting do something.  Oh yeah.  He reminded himself that he would have to call his sister, Ororo, the next day to tell her about his return.  It was too late tonight.

He pulled out a cigarette and looked at the empty side of the bed.  Maybe not too late.  The night is young.  He got up and changed into his black leather pants, black muscle shirt, and flame button up shirt (which he left unbuttoned).  He pulled his hair back into a neat ponytail and walked back into the bedroom.  He grinned to himself as he looked at the bed. 

He walked into the 'living room area' of his hotel towards the door.  That's went he heard something weird.  He paused and looked at the doors that lead to the balcony.  I'm at least 30 stories up.  Even I wouldn't attempt to rob someone this high up.  Ok Maybe I would.

He grabbed his bo staff he had strapped around his ankle and extended it.  The doors of the balcony unlatched and swung open.  Then, moments later a man with a helmet and cape levitated and landed in the middle of the room staring him down. 

"You must be Gambit."  He said. 

"Forget who I be."  He replied.  "Who de Fuck aw ya?"

"My name is Magneto."  He answered and ripped his metal bo staff out of his hands.  "I'm the master of magnetism.  And you are the Prince of Thieves."

Gambit didn't know whether to be shocked or angry.  But he never let either show in his face.  After all, Magneto just ripped his bo staff out of his hand and knew who he was.  "Maybe, I am.  What's it to ya?"

"A former associate of mine mentioned your name to me a couple of times.  He said you were one of the top five thieves in the world."  Magneto answered.  "You remember Sabretooth, don't you?" 

Gambit wanted the hurl at the name.  He hated Sabretooth with a passion.  "I remember him."  I remember him hanging my brother off Notre Dame Cathedral.   I remember him dropping Genevieve to her death.  I remember him slaughtering innocent Morlocks.  I remember him.  "I remember him quite well."  He said with a hint of anger in his voice. 

"I see you have quite a hatred for Sabretooth."  Magneto replied.  "But don't feel bad.  He feels the same way about you."  He said.  "But I'm not here to talk about Sabretooth.  His services are unavailable at this time; however, I could use yours.  You see, My second hand associate is extremely skilled, but she can't be in two places at once."

"So you want me to help you."  Gambit folded his arms.

"Exactly."  Magneto replied.  "You are much smarter than Sabretooth gave you credit for."

Gambit rolled his eyes.  "So want do ya want me ta steal."

"It's called the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak."  He answered and handed him pictures and the location where it was secured in.  "I'm sure 20 grand will be enough payment.  Half now, half when the job is done."  He said and tossed him the stack of twenties.

Gambit flipped thru is and sniffed the intoxicating scent of the money.  It was 10 grand.  He pulled out a bill from the middle and lit the end of it.  And it was real.  He smirked.  "So when do I start?"

"Now.  I will come for you in fifteen days."  Magneto replied.  "That should give you plenty of time to work out any scenarios you may encounter on your mission.  Do you have any questions?"

"What ya need dis Gem fa?"

Magneto just smiled.  "You will find out when your mission is complete."

Find out.  Gambit watched as the Magneto left exactly as he came in.  Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

I should have listened to my instincts.  Remy thought as he looked at the computer screen again.  That's when he spotted a particular file that struck somewhat odd.

Abel Polo Plan.

What the hell is that?  His curiosity was overwhelming as he stared at it.  What is that?  He clicked on the file, but before it could load up a familiar face entered the room.

"Well, it looks like you are feeling better."  Ororo smiled.  "So what are you doing?"

Remy closed the laptop before either of them could get a glance at the file.  "Just checkin' my stuff out."  He lied.  "Make sure my laptop work."

"Ok."  Ororo nodded.  "But couldn't you have checked your clothes and put them on first."

"Huh."  Remy looked down to see himself still in the towel.  "OH."

"No matter."  Ororo replied.  "Now I won't have to worry about you getting any of your clothes dirty."

"Whatcha talkin' bout?"

"I'm gonna clean you up."  She said dragging him to the bathroom. 

"I already clean up."

"Just sit on the toilet."  Ororo watched Remy give her a face.  "Don't you trust me?"

"Oui." 

"Then sit."  She ordered.  "Facing the wall."

Remy gave her a look.  Then, he slowly sat down, facing the wall.  His heart raced as he heard her digging in a bag she brought with her.  He turned to see what she was doing, but she stopped him and made him face forward again.

Ororo pulled out the scissors slowly.  He is going to kill me.  She thought as she grabbed the base of his ponytail.  "So how was Paris?"

Remy felt the gently pull of his hair.  "Paris was…"  Then, his eyes widened as he heard the cutting noise.

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Kurt plopped down on the couch.  He had an extremely bad headache that didn't seem to go away. 

"Elf, chill out."  Logan said to him.  "Quit worrying before you make your brain explode."

Kurt looked at him.  "How can I keep from vorrying?  Ororo is up there vith him.  Alone."

"You need to calm down."

"I am calm."  Kurt huffed.  "I don't think her friend likes me either.  He kept giving me dirty looks."

"Then swat the little bastard with your tail."  Logan replied.  "I won't stop you.  I'll even make him into shish kabob if you want."

Very tempting offer.  "Nein."  Kurt replied.  "You are right.  I just need to calm down."  He sighed.  "But if he makes a move on Ororo I'll…"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

Kurt and Logan exchanged glances before they tore up the stairs to Gambit's room.

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"Ya scalped me woman."

"Remy calm down."  Ororo said.  "It's just hair."

"Yeah, my hair."  He replied touching the end of his short locks.

"Remy, you are going to live."  She said to him.  "Now sit back down so I can finish."

"You ain't done."  Remy's eyes widened and brightened even under his sunglasses. 

"No, now sit back down so I can finish."

"Ororo are you alright?"

"What the hell happened?"

"Kurt, Logan.  It's alright."  She said to the two that burst in the room.

"What do you mean it's alright?"  Logan replied.  "We heard you scream."

Ororo wanted to laugh.  "I didn't scream.  Gambit did.  And it's alright."

"Then vat vas he screaming for?"  Kurt asked.  He's in a towelI'm the one who should be screaming. 

"It's nothing to worry about Kurt."  Ororo replied.  "He's just a little shocked."

Yeah whatever.  Logan thought as he saw the shorter locks on her friend.  "Come on Elf."

Kurt slowly walked towards the door.  "Do you need any help Ororo?  Because if you do I can stay."

"It's alright Kurt."  Ororo smiled.  "I can handle it."

"Are you sure?"

"She said she fine."  Remy replied with an attitude.  "Now leave."

"Gambit."  Ororo fussed at him.  Then she looked to Kurt.  "I'm going to be fine.  I'll see you at dinner."

"Ja.  See you at dinner."  Kurt said softly and closed the door behind him.

Ororo hung her head slightly.  She knew this had to be hard on Kurt.  Usually, they were inseparable.  She sighed and turned back to the angry Remy.  "You were rude."

"No I wasn't."  Remy replied and sat back down.  He hung his head.  He could feel her hurting.  "I sorry.  I be nicer."  He sighed.  "So ya gonna finish what ya started."

"Yeah."  Ororo replied.

Remy remained perfectly still for her as she finished cutting.  He even didn't fight her when she pulled out the shaver.

Ororo grabbed a small washcloth and dusted the hair off his back.    "I'm finished."  She said softly.  "You wanna look in the mirror."

"Oui."  Remy stood up and looked in the mirror.  His hair was longer in the front and shorter in the back.  It ain't that bad.  He thought.  "It's alright."

"Ok."  Ororo replied.  "Well why don't you rinse off and I'll get you a change of clothes."

"D'accord."

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Professor Xavier prepared the med lab for Gambit arrive when he felt her walk in the room.   He turned and smiled.

"Logan said you wanted to talk to me."  Rogue said to him.

"Yes I did."  Xavier replied.  "Please sit down."

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After Remy rinsed and put on a pair of clothes and Ororo vacuumed out the bathroom, she sat him down again.

"Ya ain't finished torturing me yet."  Remy said trying to break the awkward silence between them.

"No, I'm not."  Ororo said as she began examining his eyebrow piercing.  "What's the matter?  You ran out of room on your ear."

"Oui."  Remy replied.  "Got my tongue pierced too."  He stuck his tongue out at her.

"That's disgusting." 

"Dat ain't what de femmes be saying afta a night wit Gambit." He smiled mischievously.

'And that's something I didn't want to know about."  She replied and began examining his ear.  "Honestly Remy.  You can be such a pervert sometimes."

"Na ah."  He answered then he thought about her friend that just left.  "So, who's that Kurt guy?"

"What do you mean?"  Ororo asked as she noticed something with some of the piercings.

"I mean, what's he to you?"

Ororo looked at Remy.  "He's my boyfriend."

"Oh."  Remy sighed.  "Why didn't you tell me about him?"

"Because you never called."  Ororo replied honestly. 

"Sorry."  Remy hung his head.  "OW."

"I'm sorry."  Ororo apologized.  "Your ear is red."

"It is?"  Remy winced as Ororo began cleaning them with the damp washcloth.

"I'm going to have Professor Xavier look at this."  Ororo said as she cleaned the numerous piercings.  It looks like someone tried to rip them from his ear.  "I'm worried you might have an infection."

"Alright."

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"Rogue, you need to learn not to get upset over the littlest comments."  Xavier said to him.  "I know at this point it is had for you with your mutation.  I am doing everything I can to help you control it.  However, you need to do your part too."

"What do you mean?"

"Part of dealing with your mutation is accepting it."

"Accept it."  Rogue replied.  "How can I accept something that is ruining my life?"  Her eyes filled with tears.  "It's so hard trying to be close to anyone.  I can't even kiss Bobby without seriously hurting him.  And I know my friends don't mean anything, but it hurts to see they back up whenever my gloves come off."

"I know its hard Rogue, but you need to not let things like that bother you."  Xavier comforted her.  "Believe it or not, but I too had problems with my mutation."

Rogue sniffled.  "Really."

"Yes."  Xavier replied.  "It wasn't easy learning how to control my mutation.  I was about fourteen when my telepathy appeared.  I had no one to help me.  My father, mother, and stepfather had all died years earlier.  Alls I had was my stepbrother, Cain, and we were not on very good terms.  He used to bully me around a lot, partly because he was stronger and older."

"So what did you do?"

"At first, like any teenager who discovers their mutation, I played around.  Over the years, I read my teachers minds to pass tests and read my opponents minds to excel in sports."  Xavier admitted.  "It made Cain extremely jealous of me.  He was so jealous of me that we actually got in a fight one day."

"What happened?"

"Since Cain and I were exact opposites, we each used our own strengths."  Xavier answered.  "He used his strength to push me around as always.  In return, I psi-blasted him.  As a result, I hurt him as well as angered him more.  That's when I realized how powerful I was and it scared me.  For a few years, I was afraid of hurting anyone around me.  Then one day I decided that I wasn't going to abuse the gift I was given.  Instead, I learned to control my telepathy.  Then many years later, I decided to help others do the same.  Storm, Jean, and Cyclops were some of my first students.  It took them many years to reach where they are with their powers and if you didn't notice the unusual weather lately, Storm is still learning how to control hers."  He looked at his student who nodded in agreement.  "Control doesn't happen overnight, but don't give up.  Your day will come Rogue.  I promise."

"yes Professor."  Rogue sighed and nodded her head.  She knew he was right.  "So whatever happened to Cain?"

"I had a feeling you would ask that question. You see, Even the world's most powerful telepath still has a lot to learn."  Xavier chuckled, and then got serious.  "Cain and I had many run ins over the years. He has grown quite powerful, dangerous to others and himself. Our last run in was about five years ago when the school was fairly new.  He stormed it, damaging the south wing.  Storm was one of the X-men who helped me stop him.  He is currently locked up so he can't harm anyone again."

Rogue could see the hint of sadness in his face as said the last sentence. 

"Well…"  Xavier said regain his compose.  "About your detention."

"Detention?"

Xavier smiled.  "You didn't think I would let you get away with skipping class without a penalty, did you?"

"I was hoping so."  Rogue smiled innocently, but she knew she deserved the detention.  "So what's my punishment?"

"Hello Professor.  Rogue."  Ororo said as she walked in the room. 

"Hello Ororo."  Xavier said.  "Where's Gambit?"

Ororo looked behind her to see him still standing in the hall.  She sighed and tried dragging him in.  "Come on."

"But I don't be liking labs."  He whined.

"Gambit, no one is going to hurt you, I promise."  Ororo replied and dragged him in.  "Don't be such a baby."

"Ga ga goo goo."  Gambit slid into the room as Ororo dragged him in.  He looked at Xavier and then at Rogue.  It's that girl.  He let go of Ororo and she flew across the floor.  "I'm not a baby Stormy.  I was just playing."  He said so matter of factly trying to be cool in front of her.

"Ororo are you alright."  Xavier asked seeing her on the floor.

She stood up and dusted off her skirt.  "I'm fine."  Then, she mumbled under her breath about striking her friend with lightning. 

Rogue blushed as she caught Gambit's eyes on her.  She bit her lip and looked down at her feet to avoid meeting his stare. 

Xavier's eyes went back and forth between the two.  He couldn't read Gambit's thoughts, but he knew Rogue was having some sort of affect on him.  "Rogue, why don't you stay and assist me an Ororo with Gambit.  It would be a good learning experience for you, plus it be considered as your detention."

"OK."  Rogue replied shyly.

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Once again, I'm sorry for not updating any quicker.  I'm trying to work on that, but I am writing more than one fanfic.  I promise I will get better. 

FYI:  When Remy was 17, he and his foster brother, Henri LeBeau, went to Paris to fulfill his rite of Passage into the Guild of Thieves.  His mission was to steal a jewel called l'Etoile du Tricherie, from a young jewel thief named Genevieve Darcenaux.  Genevieve stole it from it's owner, Herzog.   To acquire the jewel, Remy charmed Genevieve into falling in love with him.  Herzog hired Sabretooth to get it back.  After successfully stealing the jewel, Remy returned to his hotel to meet with Henri, but learned he and Genevieve were kidnapped.  Sabretooth dangled Henri and Genevieve off the Notre Dame Catherdral.  In order for one of them to live, Remy had to hand over the jewel and make a choice. He chose Henri and Sabretooth dropped Genevieve to her death.  As Genevieve died, Remy learned she had truly fallen in love with him.  Needless to say, Remy despised Sabretooth from that moment.  I felt I had to add this fact because it will be significant later on in my fanfic.  Hopefully, it is not to confusing.

Thanks for all the reviews. 

Michelle