The Prince of Thieves

Chapter XII:  The Gambit and the Rogue

By:  Michelle

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DISCLAIMER:  I don't own Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, or any other of the Marvel characters in this story.  I just write fanfics for fun.  It wouldn't be pointless to sue me because I don't have shit. 

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Remy placed his laptop under his bed and made his way to the students snack room/kitchen.  He smiled when he was Rogue sitting at the table.  Maybe I'll have some dessert, non.  He thought as he checked out the skimpy black nightgown she was in.

GRRRRR

The sound of his stomach growling caught her attention.  So much for sneaking up behind her.

Rogue looked up from her homework and smiled over at him.  Oh my.  He's shirtless with sunglasses on.  Can you say yummy? "Hey."  She said slightly blushing.  "What are you doing down here?"

"I's hungry."  Remy replied as he walked in the room.  "Ya'll got anything ta eat in here?"

"You're still hungry."  Rogue replied with wide eyes.

"Oui."

"You out ate Logan."  She replied.  "How could you still be hungry?"

Remy shrugged.  'I don't know.  Just am."  He replied.  "So what dey got ta eat?  Dese muffins for anybody."  He asked picking one up.  Damn.  This son of a bitch is harder than a cannonball.  "Who de hell made dese?  Dey be hard as a rock."

"I did." 

Shit.  "I'm sorry."  He apologized.  Stupid. Stupid.  Stupid.

"It's alright."  Rogue replied.  "I know they suck.  I'm sort of culinary challenged." 

"Culinary challenged."  Remy smirked.  "Now dat's a good way ta describe it.  No offense, really."

"None taken."  Rogue tucked her hair behind her ears and looked at him.  "So you think you can cook better hot shot."

Remy flashed her one of his mischievous grins.  "I can cook real good."

"Like what?"  She asked as she eyed his ass while he dug in the pantry.

"Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etufee, Red Beans and Rice, Spaghetti and Meatballs …" 

Well I feel stupid.  Rogue thought to herself. 

"…Hamburger Steak…"  I wonder if she is impressed yet.  "…and de list goes on."  He said as he looked over at her and smiled.  Then, he looked back in the pantry.  "Oooo, Spaghettio's.  I love Spaghettio's.  Ain't had dese since forever."

Rogue giggled at him.  And he's how old?  She watched as he opened the can and empties the contents in a bowl.  After digging for a few minutes, he found a fork.  Then, he headed towards the table.  "Aren't you gonna heat that up?"

"Oh yeah.  I forgot."

Rogue walked as he held the bowl in his hand.  Her eyes widened when she saw it.  For a few seconds the bowl had this fuchsia glow around it.  I'm seeing things.  She looked away and went back to concentrating on her homework.  I didn't see anything.

Remy sat down at the table as close as possible to her. 

He's too close.  Rogue thought and scooted her chair over. 

Now why she do that?  Remy thought for a moment.  I just had a bath.  I can't be stinking.  Is it my breath?  Possibly, but now it's gonna smell like Spaghettio's.  Damnit.  "So, ummm Chere, whatcha doing?"  Try not to breathe on her to much.

"Physics."  Rogue replied.  "Professor Xavier gave me an extra assignment to compliment my detention."

"Sound's boring." 

"It's not so bad."

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"So what's the scoop on this kid?"  Logan asked as he and Kurt entered the War Room. 

"Well for starters Logan."  Xavier began as they joined Ororo at the table.  "Gambit is not a kid.  He's a twenty-two year old man."

"He's a kid to me Chuck."  Logan said as he pulled out a cigar and played with it in his hands. 

'Ororo."  Kurt looked at her for answers.  "How did your talk with him go?"

"Alright."  Ororo sighed.  "Gambit said he was driving down the highway.  It was late at night and he was pretty tired."  She explained.  "He hit a pothole while driving and it damaged his front tire.  That's when he lost control of the bike."  She tucked her hair behind her ears.  "He said he remembers jumping off the bike, then waking up in the hospital."

"And you believe that."  Logan replied as he stuck the cigar on his mouth. 

"Why shouldn't I?"  Ororo said getting offended.

"Just don't add up right."  Logan answered chewing on the end of the cigar. 

"Actually Logan."  Xavier jumped in.  "Gambit's story is very similar to the nurse's story as well as the accident report the police station faxed over."

Kurt thought for a moment.  "Vhy was he driving so late at night?" 

"He said he couldn't find a hotel."  Ororo replied.  "At least one to his liking."

Logan chewed on the end of his cigar and shook his head.  "So what'd you read from his mind Chuck?"

"Nothing."  Xavier replied.  "Gambit has some sort of mental shields blocking me from reading him."

"He can block you from reading him."  Kurt said with amazement.  "How vould he be able to do that?" 

"I'm not entirely sure.  I have rarely come across someone I cannot link with."  Xavier explained.  "It might be a part of his mutant abilities."

"Or it might be because he doesn't want anyone knowing what he does."  Logan said to them.  "Fuck, the kid won't even tell anyone his REAL name."

"Well Logan."  Ororo said getting annoyed with him Remy bashing.  "Gambit is a private person.  He just doesn't open up to anyone.  Especially, if he feels like that person is against him."

"Oh yeah Darlin'."  Logan pulled the cigar out of his mouth and glared at her.  "So how open has he been with you."

Ororo sat there in silence.  It was true.  Remy wasn't being open with her either.  In fact, he wasn't being open to anyone.  Or, was he?

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Remy placed his bowl in the sink and ran water on it.  Stormy would kill me if I got this cast wet. 

"You can just leave it in there."  Rogue said to him.  "I'll wash it."

"Ya sure."  Remy asked.  He was always the one who did things for himself. 

"Yeah."  Rogue smiled.  "I'll get it."  She got up and pulled her gloves off, then made her way to the sink.

"Merci."  Thank you.  Remy relied.  Especially for the view.  He smiled and grabbed a bottle of coke out of the fridge.  "What happened to yawls fridge."  He said noting the six marks in it.

"Oh."  Rogue looked over at the fridge.  "Logan did."  She replied.  "It's a wonder it actually works."

"It was from when de school was attacked."  Remy watched her nod.  "Stormy told me about dat."

"Yeah."  Rogue replied.  "Bobby was in here when a guy sprayed it with bullets.  Logan stabbed the guy in the chest with his claws on the fridge."  She tried to shake the memory from her head.  "Logan rebuilt most of it after the whole Alkali Lake ordeal was over."  It was one way to get his mind off of Jean.

"So you was here?"

"Yeah."  She said and tucked her hair behind her ears.

He took a sip of his drink.  "Was ya scared?"

"Yeah."  Rogue said honestly as she sat back down.  I was worried about Logan.

Remy walked back over to the table and sat down.  He looked into her eyes.  Maybe next time I be there to protect you.  He smiled and leaned back in the chair as he finished his drink.  Maybe.  "BBBBBUUUURRRRPPPP." 

Rogue giggled. 

"Excuse moi."  Remy replied.  Yeah.  That's attractive.  "I was rude."  My daddy would have popped me on the back of the head if he heard me do that in front of a lady

"It's alright."  Rogue smiled.  "I'm use to hearing the guys have burp contest around here.  Logan, Kurt, Bobby, and Piotr usually have one when Ms. Munroe is in her garden." 

"Who usually wins?"  He asked.

"Me."  Rogue smiled.  Now why do I say stupid stuff like that?  I should have told him Logan.  He probably thinks I'm some tomboy or something.

Remy smiled.  Kurt gets beat by a girl.  That's pretty bad.

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"Whatever."  Logan replied as he propped his feet up on the table and returned to chewing on the end of the cigar he was itching to light.  "So Whatcha find out about this kid while you were poking and probing him earlier?"

"Gambit wasn't being as cooperative with the tests as I had hoped."  Xavier replied.  "However, I did get enough to come to accurate conclusions."

"Such as?"  Ororo asked.  Please let him be alright.  Please let him be alright. 

Xavier pulled out the results from Gambit's test.  "Gambit is an extremely unique mutant.  Although he has been rather calm and quiet today, Gambit has two times the metabolism of an average person.  This makes him highly energetic."

Well that explains why he is always bouncing off the walls when I have met him.  Ororo thought to herself.

"Gambit also has multiple mutations.  This is another rare thing I have encountered" Xavier said and saw the curiosity in their faces.  "First off, Gambit's eyes are black with red pupils.  This is a mutation he was born with; basically indicating he would be a mutant.  He's been hiding them under his sunglasses to avoid anyone questioning him."

Kurt folded his hands.  Maybe someone needs to knock them off his face.

"Second, as I said yesterday, Gambit has the ability to convert an inorganic object's potential energy into kinetic energy.  Or, simply put, he can blow stuff up."  Xavier explained.  "I have not seen his powers displayed before, but from what you say Ororo, he's quite powerful."

Ororo nodded.  You have no idea.

"And third, I believe Gambit has what is called empathy."

Logan cocked an eyebrow.  "He can read people's minds."

"No, that's telepathy."  Xavier corrected.  "Empathy is the projection of one's emotions on an object."  He could tell instantly that all of them were confused.  "Perhaps I should explain."

"That would help Chuck."

"Gambit can feel and project emotions.  At lunch, after he first awoke, all off you could feel how uncomfortable he was because he was confused and scared." 

"Oh."

"Could this empathy thing, keep you from reading his mind?"  Kurt asked.

"It very well could."  Xavier admitted.  "But I'm not sure if he really knows he is using it.  His shields may be a way to lessen all the emotions he feels when he is around other people."

"I've heard Gambit refer to it as a charm power."  Ororo added.  "He can talk you into anything and himself out of trouble."

"That I don't doubt."  Xavier nodded.  "I've listened to the way he addresses certain people.  Sometimes his voice is calm and steady, other times it can sound quite seductive."

"So is that a good thing or a bad thing?"  Logan asked trying to figure out what he was dealing with. 

"Why Logan" Ororo asked.  "You afraid of him."

"Should I be?"

Once again, Ororo sat in silence. 

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Rogue let out a deep breath.  He's finished eating already.  Why is he staring at me?  She thought to herself.  It's starting to freak me out.

Damn she is fine.  Remy thought to himself as he stared.  Then, he could feel how uncomfortable she was getting.  Ok Remy.  Find something else to occupy yourself with.  He looked down as the cast and began picking at it.  I hate this damn thing.  I wonder what Stormy would say if I blew it off my arm.

Rogue glanced over at him as he began tugging at the cast on his left arm.  "I don't think you should be doing that.  You're going to hurt your arm even more if you take it off.

"It's aggravating me."  Remy replied.  "And look at it.  It's white and funky looking."  It's going to mess up my tan.  He said holing out his arm to her.  "I hate it."

"It's going to help your arm heal."  Rogue replied. 

"So." 

"So, you need to keep it on."  Rogue said to him.  "I bet I can make it better."

"Oh really." 

"Yeah."  Rogue dug in her zipper pouch and pulled out a permanent black mark.  "Let me see your cast."

Remy didn't argue and held out his arm.  Then, he watched as her white porcelain skinned hands touched his cast and began signing her name.  R-O-G-U-E. 

"Better."  Rogue smiled as she laid down the marker. 

Remy smirked.  "Oui."  He reached out to grab her hand to kiss, but she quickly pulled away and frantically put on her gloves.  What'd I do?  "I'm sorry."

"It's alright."  Rogue replied nervously as looked down at her gloved hands.  "It's nothing personal."

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"So."  Logan started again.  "What else we got with this kid?"

Ororo gave him a look.  She was ready to zap him one.  Kurt grabbed her hand and squeezed to signal to her to calm down. 

"Gambit weighs 168 pounds and measures 6 foot one inch."  Xavier gave the three a look.  Then, proceeded.  "He's body is built, but he is scrawny for someone his height and weight.  By the look of him, it seems like has been malnourished at different points in his life."

"Well, he did grow up in the street until he was about ten."  Ororo added. 

"That is a factor."  Xavier replied.  "But I don't think that's completely the case." 

"Well you saw how he was in dinner."  Logan reminded them.  "He ate like he hadn't eaten in days." 

"He was in the hospital Logan."  Ororo replied in defense.  "And he didn't have that much to eat yesterday."

"I ain't just talking about that."  Logan added.  "He acted like if he didn't eat now, he might not in a few days."

"No he wasn't"

"Actually Ororo."  Kurt added.  "He was."

"I don't believe this."  Ororo gave him a look.  "You are taking his side."

"I uhhh."  

Ororo rolled her eyes and looked away from him. 

"Ororo, calm down."  Xavier said to her.

"I am calm."  She replied as thunder rumbled. 

"Darlin', I don't think you get the whole picture."  Logan grumbled.  "There is something wrong with your little friend.  You're just too blind to see it."

"I'm not blind."  Ororo snapped.  "I know him better than you."

"Oh wow."  Logan said sarcastically.

"I swear Logan, you judge everyone without getting to know them." 

"I don't have to know them to see right thru them."  Logan replied.  "There is something up with your friend."

"You know Logan."  Ororo said with her voice rising.  "If you actually make the initiative to speak to him, you would actually find out you have a lot in common."

"Oh yeah, like what."

"Well for starters, ya'll are both hardheaded and stubborn."  Ororo snapped back. 

"That's enough."  Xavier said as the two were ready to bash skulls.  They both calmed down.  "That's better."  He sighed.  "It's obvious the fact Gambit staying here is causing a problem.  I hate to agree with Logan, but there are a lot of things that seem wrong Ororo."

'Ororo, it is true."  Kurt agreed.  "Gambit has been acting extremely strange.  Even you said so yourself."

Ororo sighed.  'I know."  She agreed.  "But the more you distrust Gambit, the more he will distrust you."  She ran her fingers through her hair.  "Could you all actually attempt to make friends with him?  I can't do this myself."  Someone besides me has to make a move.

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Remy stared at her for a moment.  I have never seen a girl wear gloves in a nightgown before.  Actually, I've never seen this girl without a pair of gloves on.  He thought as he remembered the many times he saw her today.  He looked at her with curiosity.  "Why ya wear gloves all de time?"  You too pretty to cover up.

Rogue gave him a look, but couldn't meet his hidden eyes.  "Why you wear sunglasses all the time?"

Is she challenging me?  Remy leaned back in his chair.  "I asked you first."

"It's my mutation."  Rogue replied softly.  "I have poison skin."

Remy cocked an eyebrow.  "Poison skin?"  I don't get it.

Rogue could tell by the look in his face that he was confused.  So she pulled off a glove and held out her hand.  "If I was to touch you right now, I would drain you dry.  Your life, your memories, everything would be mine.  You'd be a little part of me. "

"Dat don't sound so bad."  Remy replied.  His brain still did not register what she said.

"It doesn't if you want to end up in a coma."  Rogue replied and put back on her glove.  "So what's with the sunglasses?  It's after eleven."

"You promise not to freak out."  Remy asked. 

"Yeah."  Rogue replied.  What could be so bad?

Remy took a deep breath and pulled off his sunglasses.  Then, he opened his eyes. 

Rogue's mouth practically hung open.  They were black with red pupils.  "They're gorgeous."

"Nah."  Remy shook his head.  "Dey like demon eyes."

"Well, I like them."  Rogue smiled.  "So what's your real name, Gambit?"

"What ya real name, Rogue?"  He asked.

"I asked you first."  She said with a challenge.

Oooo.  She got me.  Remy smiled.  "It's Remy."  He answered.  "Remy Etienne LeBeau." 

"Remy LeBeau."  Rogue smiled. 

"Yeah."  He smirked.  "It rhymes with Ororo Munroe.  Ain't dat funny?"  He said.  "So Chere, What ya name be?"

Rogue thought for a moment as she pushed aside all the names of the people she absorb.  "Marie Anna D'Ancanto."

"You don't sound so sure."  Remy replied.  That's weird.

"Yeah."  Rogue replied.  'I guess I want to forget it."

"So you like being called Rogue?"

"Yeah."  Sometimes.

"No offense."  Remy replied.  "But ya too pretty of a Chere to be wanting ta be called something like Rogue." 

"Well what about you."  Rogue answered.  "What's a guy like you calling yourself Gambit?"

"Well maybe I'm a gambling person."

"Well maybe I'm a mischievous person."

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Ororo thought her head was going to explode after the meeting was over.  She ignored the grumbling Logan who stormed off for another steam release in the Danger Room.

"Ororo."  Kurt said as he took her hand.  "I'm not trying to be against you.  I'm worried."  He said pulling her close.  "I hate seeing you like this."

"I know."  Ororo leaned her head on his chest.  "I just….I don't know what to do."

"It's going to be alright Ororo."  Kurt replied.  "You just need to be calm and patient.  Things always work out in the end."

"Yeah."  She looked up at him.  "Will you try to bond with Gambit some?"

"I'll try."  Although, I don't think he relay likes me.  He replied.  "I'll try." 

"Thank you."  Ororo said as she squeezed him tight.  "It would mean a lot to me if the two of you got along."

"Yeah, I know."  Kurt sighed. Won't this be fun? "I know."

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"So."  Rogue closed her books.  "Do you gamble with everything?"

Remy smirked.  "Only if it benefits me in the long run."  Kind of gambling with my heart right now.

"Have you ever lost?" 

Remy thought for a moment.  "Only once."  He replied.  When I lost Bella Donna.  "But never again.  I make sure I never lose again."  But then again I'm here.  I gambled against someone like Magneto.  That makes two times I've lost.

Rogue watched the saddened expression come over his face.  "Are you alright?"

"Yeah."  Remy snapped back to reality.  "I'm just tired.  It's been a long day." 

"Yeah."  Rogue replied.  "I need to be getting to bed.  I have classes in the morning."

Remy nodded, and then stood up.  "Can I walk ya ta ya room?"

Rogue thought for a moment.  Bobby's not around.  Why not?  "OK."

"I'll hold ya books for ya."  Remy said as he picked them up from the table. 

"Thanks."  Rogue smiled.  "My room's this way." 

Remy's heart pounded in his chest as he walked with her up to her room.  He was feeling something stirring inside of him that he hadn't felt in ages. 

As they finally got to her room, Rogue smiled and took her books from him.  "Thanks."  She replied softly.  "I'll see you tomorrow."

He felt like he could hardly talk.  "See ya tomorrow."  Remy replied. 

"Nite."  Rogue kissed her two of her gloved fingers, and then touched his cheek. 

"Nite."  He replied as she walked in the room.  His cheek tingled from her touch.  Well Remy.  Looks like Rogue won.

Rogue closed the door of her room softly not to wake up her sleeping roommates, Kitty and Jubilee.  She leaned back against the door and held her books tightly against her chest.  Nite Remy LeBeau.

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Sigh of relief.  Another chapter done.  I hope I satisfied the Romy fans out there. 

Gambit:  A person who makes any apparent sacrifice in expectation of later gain.  

Rogue:  A mischievous or playful person.

Their names fit them perfectly.

I thought it was funny that Remy LeBeau and Ororo Munroe rhymed.  I wonder if Claremont did that intentionally when he created Gambit.

FYI:  Bella Donna Boudreaux is Remy LeBeau's wife.  Since Bella was the granddaughter of the Patriarch of the Assassin's Guild and Remy was the foster-son of the Patriarch of the Thieves Guild, their marriage was arranged to make a peace between the warring Guilds.  On their wedding day and after the vows where said, Bella's brother Julien challenged Remy to a duel because he didn't think a thief was good enough for his sister.  Plus he was a little sick in the head if you know what I mean.  Anyways, Remy won the dual, but the Thieves and Assassin's Guild voted to kick Remy out.  He had to leave his wife, leave his family, and never to return to New Orleans in order to keep the peace between the guilds.  He was only eighteen years old. 

Well it's on to a new chapter.  Thanks for the reviews.

Michelle