The Prince of Thieves

Chapter XXV: Runaway

By: Michelle

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Yes. I am back. Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up, but work was wild. Halloween week was nightmare and the week after is packing. I worked over 100 hrs in two weeks and boy am I pooped. Anyways. Here is the long awaited Chapter 25.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the X-men. I just write fanfics for fun.

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"Come on Ororo." Kurt said as he pulled her to her feet. "Let's get inside before ve both catch a cold." He said as he took her hand in attempt to lead her to the mansion.

"Why do you put up with me after all of this?" Ororo questioned as she felt him tug her hand. He was always her shoulder to cry on.

Kurt paused and turned to look at her. Ororo was a mess to say the least. Her silvery hair was plastered down from all the rain. Her clothes were soaked and clung to her body. Her mascara ran down her face. But he could care less about any of those things. "Because..." He said and smiled. "Ich liebe dich." I love you.

Ororo didn't understand a single word he said, but has a feeling she know what it meant. Did he just...Oh Goddess he did.

Kurt remained silent after speaking those words. He had never told her that before. There were a million words to describe what he was feeling at that moment. Scared. Excited. Overjoyed. Those were some just to name a few. But there was no one single word that could sum it all up.

Ororo stared at him wondering what was going through his mind. The rain had stopped by now. As the sun started to sink, a cool breeze blew by. Neither of them realized they were out there that long.

Neither of them knew what to do next, so Kurt made the first move. He pulled her towards him. He wasn't sure what to say, but he knew what to do as he kissed her lips. Ororo wrapped her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened. Actions seemed to speak louder than words as the sun set in a rainbow of light in the distance.

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Remy peeked out of the door of his room with their bags in hand. It would be a lot easier if it was just him trying to escape, but he had Rogue with him. He wasn't complaining thou. "What be de easiest way outta here?" He asked.

"Escape tunnels." Rogue replied. "The mansion is full of them in case of an attack."

"Lead the way Chere." Remy said as he opened the door.

Rogue and Remy crept silently down the hallway. With Logan preoccupied with Xavier, passing up his room made their task a whole lot easier. They got to the hidden passageway, but Remy couldn't figure out what Rogue was talking about.

"I dought ya say dere be a tunnel here."

"There is." Rogue replied and smacked the wall. The hidden door opened to reveal a tunnel.

"Nice." Remy smirked. I like this place. It's got plenty of stuff to explore. Wonder what else I missed. "After you Chere." He said and checked out her ass.

"Merci Beaucoup." Rogue smiled and led the way to the garage.

"Whose car's who's?" Remy asked as got a malicious smirk on his face.

"Well the silver one's Storm's, the blue on is Kurt's, the yellow jeep is Logan's, and the two over there are Scott and Jean's." Rogue explained. "Then, the motorcycle is Logan's."

"Oh really." Remy replied eying it up.

"We are not taking Logan's bike." Rogue said seeing that sneaky look on his face. "He'd kill us."

Remy shrugged. "He don't be liking me anyway." He said as he hopped on the bike and began messing with the wires. "Ya coming Chere."

"Yeah." Rogue hopped on the back of the bike and placed on a helmet. "Wouldn't be a lot easier to find Logan's keys." She said as she watched him spark the wires together.

"Oui." Remy replied. "But what fun would dat be fa dis thief." He said as the motorcycle started running. He revved the engine to get a feel for it with his casted hand.

Rogue placed her hands on his waist. She had never ridden on the back of a motorcycle before. Sure, she dreamed of it, but she never thought she'd get the chance. Logan and Kurt would die if they know I was doing something like this.

Remy revved the engine again. "Ya gonna hafta hold on tighter dan dat Chere." He said pulling her arms tighter around his waist.

Rogue leaned her head against his back. This feels nice. She thought as she held on tighter.

Remy smiled to himself. He placed one hand over hers and squeezed it gently. Then, he placed both hands on the handle bars and peeled out of the garage.

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"What are we going to do about that Kid, Chuck?" Logan asked. "You know harboring a felon is a crime. The school can be shut down for it if he is caught here.'

"I know Logan." Xavier agreed. It was bad enough the school was under surveillance by the government since Alkali Lake. He knew one mistake could cost him. "But we can't just feed him to the wolves. Magneto is waiting for that and he isn't going to stop until he gets what he wants."

Logan slumped down in a chair. "I couldn't find that damn jewel he claimed to steal." He informed Xavier. "I did smell Mystique on his trench coat. It's possible Mags already has it."

"If Magneto already has the jewel, then it is a strong possibility that Gambit has something else he wants." Xavier thought out loud. "But what?"

"The kid's a thief Chuck." Logan answered. "Your guess is as good as mine"

"Then why attack him." Xavier said. "Magneto could have easily killed Gambit and taken the jewel all the same."

"Maybe he's more important to him alive."

"It is the best explanation for framing him." Xavier agreed. "It would be a way to keep us and the police off his trail."

"Have there been anymore break ins reported?"

"No." Xavier replied. "None at all."

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Three metal spheres landed on the rooftop of a hotel room. Each sphere parted revealing Magneto, Mystique, and Pyro.

"Are you sure about this?" Mystique asked as she stepped out of the hemisphere.

"Positive." Magneto replied. "Gambit has connections here. Plus, it's where I found him when I contracted him to steal the jewel. Besides, he needs a place to stay when he picks up a piece of ass for him to celebrate a victory over."

Mystique agreed with that last statement. Gambit was a charmer when it came to the ladies. "So what shall you have us do?"

"Gambit's first objective it to make sure he's got a secure room to come back to after searching for us." Magneto reminded them. "Of course, unknowing to him, we are one step ahead. Mystique, I want you and Pyro to pose as hotel staff. Meanwhile, I will keep in touch with you out here."

"We'll corner him in his own sanctuary." Mystique smiled. Not a bad idea.

"Precisely." Magneto replied. "Gambit will be so preoccupied with wanting to find me that having the tables turned on him will truly take him by surprise."

Mystique nodded and signaled for Pyro to follow.

"Oh, and whatever happens, we can not let that disk get damaged." Magneto reminded them. "That disk is the only thing that matters." It is the key to unlocking the force to stop Xavier and his precious X-men from interfering with my cause.

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"Pete, I don't need any help." Kitty fussed as she walked around with crutches to get to the elevator.

"But I can carry you up the stairs Kitty." Piotr said. "I don't mind."

"Ease off big guy." Jubilee said to him. "She don't want to be carried, but I'm up for it." She climbed on his back before he could protest. "Piggy back ride."

"Umph." Piotr groaned. "How much do you weigh?"

"Are you inquiring about her entire body or just her butt?" Bobby asked.

Jubilee rolled her eyes as she, Bobby and Piotr headed upstairs. "Very funny you guys."

"So Bobby." Piotr said. "where's Rogue been? I haven't seen her since this morning."

"Probably with Gambit." Bobby grumbled.

"Someone sounds jealous." Jubilee teased.

"I'm not jealous." Bobby denied.

"Whatever. You're just paranoid." Jubilee answered. "Hey. You think Rogue and Gambit are having a red hot love affair in the bedroom." She said and laughed at a wide eyed Bobby. "I'm just kidding Frosty. You need to literally chill out and stop taking things so seriously."

"Like taking what so seriously." Kitty asked as she met them at the top of the stairs.

"Everything."

"I'm like totally confused." Kitty replied.

"When aren't' you?" Bobby answered.

"Hey."

"Just ignore him Chica." Jubilee said to her. "He's just upset that Rogue hangs out with Gambit."

"Oh." Kitty raised an eyebrow. "I don't know why you are so bothered Bobby. Like Gambit is suppose to leave today or tomorrow.'

"I'm not going to celebrate until I see his ass walking out the front door for myself." Bobby replied.

"So jealous." Jubilee said to Piotr as she climbed off his back.

"She's probably in her room working on that paper for Xavier's class." Piotr reminded them.

"Yo chica." Jubilee said opening the door. "All work and no play makes Rogue a dull girl. Come on let's try to put Nair in Logan's shampoo bottle while he is distracted." She looked around. "Rogue."

"Rogue."

"Like whoa." Kitty hobbled over to Rogue's side of the room. "Some of her stuff is like missing."

"Do you think she...?" Bobby didn't even want to finish his own question.

"We need to get to the Professor."

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In her disguise Mystique spotted Gambit heading towards the hotel. Seeing Rogue with him was not something she, Pyro, or Magneto were expecting.

"What is she doing with him?" Pyro asked as he flipped open and close his lighter.

"I don't know." Mystique replied. She studied them carefully. Both Gambit and Rogue had bags packed. It was obvious they were on the run. That also meant Xavier and the X-men were going to be searching for them. She picked up her communicator. "Magneto we have a problem."

"What is the problem?"

"Gambit is coming into the hotel." Mystique replied. "And he has Rogue with him."

"That means Xavier won't be far behind." Magneto said more to himself than Mystique. "I want our plans to speed up in progress. After they get to the hotel room, give them a minute to settle. You know what to do from there Mystique. Meanwhile, I will take care of the outside as planned. I don't care what happened to Gambit or Rogue. I just want that disk."

"No problem."

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Rogue felt like they had been riding forever. When she finally got a good look around the area, she realized they were in New York City. We're not that far from the mansion. Just maybe a few hours.

"Ya alright Chere." Remy asked as they pulled up near a hotel.

Rogue sat up straight. "Yeah." Boy was she confused.

"We be getting off here." Remy said as he got off the bike. Then, he helped her off and slung their bags over his shoulder.

"Where are we?" Rogue asked as she took off her helmet. She was expecting to be at some hidden hideaway in the woods, not a place surrounded by bright lights. "I thought we were going to Magneto's lair."

"I am." Remy replied. "We just have to make a pit stop first." He said hiding the bike in a small alley.

Pit stop. Rogue said pulling her cloak tighter around her. She wasn't sure if she liked that idea.

Remy buttoned up his trench coat to cover his body armor. Then, he reached for her hand. "Come on Chere."

Rogue accepted it and followed him to the hotel. She looked around as they walked inside the lobby. She had never been in a place so fancy before in her life.

"My usual suite Kyle." Remy said charming the man behind the desk.

"Yes Mr. Lord." Kyle replied as he got the key.

Mr. Lord? Rogue question her own hearing.

"Here you are Sir." Kyle said handing him the key. "Shall I send room service up to your room with champagne and strawberries?" He said knowing how his customer always ordered that when he brought a woman with him to the hotel.

"Yes, that will be fine." Remy replied in perfect English.

"Yes Sir." Kyle nodded.

"I shall take your bags Sir." A bell boy said coming up to Remy and Rogue.

"Yes. Please do." Remy said handing him the bags. He thought something seemed funny about the man, but brushed it off as paranoia. "Let's go Chere." He offered his arm to Rogue.

She looped her arm around him and followed him and the bell boy to their room on the top floor.

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A dry and clean Ororo stood outside of Kurt's door waiting for him to change clothes. She turned and stared at the door across the hall. That was Remy's room. She didn't know why but something was telling her to check on him.

"Ororo." Kurt said as he opened his door and stepped out. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Ororo answered. "It's just that..." She sighed as she stared at the door. "Should I go over there?"

Kurt stared at the closed door to Remy's room. That wasn't the type of question he wanted to answer. He had been responsible for making Gambit sick as a dog. However, as much as he disliked Gambit, his heart was telling him to reach out to him to help him. Or was it to apologized? "Ja." He said taking her hand and feeling it in his unique one. "You should. You are his friend and need to make amends."

Ororo nodded. Kurt was right. She and Remy needed to make amends. She hated having him mad at her. she hated being mad at him. She just wanted to start things over again and forget all the past mistakes. She just wanted to be friends again.

"Come Ororo." Kurt said taking her to Remy's room. "You need to do this. It is the only what to make things right." I hate seeing you like this.

Ororo took a deep breath and opened the door. She was expecting to find a half asleep moody Cajun in the bed, but what she found was an empty room. Are my eyes deceiving me? "Gambit."

Kurt looked around the room. Earlier when he and Logan had helped Remy to his room, he had noticed several things on the ground: a laptop computer, duffle bag, trench coat. They were all gone now.

Ororo walked over to the bed and found a folded note. She opened it and began reading it with frightened eyes.

Dear Ororo

I am sorry for all the pain I have caused you. In the past few years, you have been the only one who has cared for me. I know I have always tried to protect you, but I have neglected the fact that you want to do the same for me.

I have taken advantage of your feelings in the worst possible way. You have always been honest with me, but when it came time for me to do the same, I could not. I lied to you and I am sorry, but I know that will never take away the pain I have caused you.

As you are reading this letter, I am off to correct the mistakes I have made and to clear my name. I don't know if I will ever see you again, but I want you to understand this. I love you Ororo. You are the best friend I ever had. You are like a sister to me. I hope everything in your life is filled with love, joy and happiness.

Sincerely Yours

Remy Etienne LeBeau

Ororo's eyes watered. "Oh Goddess."

"What?" Kurt took the letter from his shocked girlfriend. One quick glance gave him all the information he needed to know. "Ve got to get zhe Professor and Logan now!"

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Mark wheeled a tray with champagne and strawberries up to the suite. Everyone on staff knew whose room he was headed to. It was Robert Lord, a recurring customer who tipped extremely well. Tonight, he was the one who had the opportunity to deliver room service to his room. I wonder how much he will tip me.

In the elevator, he encountered a young man with fiery red hair. "Good evening to you Sir." Mark said politely.

"Thanks." The young man replied. "That looks like it is heading up to someplace romantic."

'It is.' Mark replied.

"It just seems to be missing something." The young man said as he pulled out a lighter. "You forgot to light the candles."

Mark's eyes widened as the flame from the lighter bounced around to light the three candles. He's a mutant.

"By the way, the name is Pyro." He said and punched Mark out. "And I'll be taking over your shift." He took Mark's clothes and changed into them. As the elevator opened, he straightened his shirt and wheeled the cart out to meet Mystique.

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Ororo and Kurt burst into Xavier's office. "Professor."

"What's wrong?" Xavier asked even though he could already sense it.

'Gambit ran off to find Magneto." Ororo said handing him the letter.

"And all of his stuff is gone." Kurt added.

"he's walking right into Magneto's trap." Logan growled. "Kid's gonna get himself killed."

'Alright. Ready the jet." Xavier ordered. "Magneto will be on him in no time. I will try to track him using Cerebro."

Ororo, Kurt, and Logan went to scramble to the door when it burst open again.

"Professor." Piotr said out of breath. "Rogue is missing."

"Son of a bitch." Wolverine hollowed and slammed his claws into the wall. Then, he turned to Ororo. "First we are going to save your friend. Then, I'm going to kill him."

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"Chief Miles, we are receiving several phone calls from customers at a hotel saying that the Gambit Jewel Thief is staying there."

"Are you sure?" Miles asked standing up from his desk.

"The hotel says he is a regular, but he matches the description to a T." The officer explained. "What do you want done?"

"We're moving it." Miles replied grabbing his gun. "I want that hotel surrounded with cops, cars, and helicopters. We can't afford for this guy to get away."

"Yes Sir."

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When Rogue stepped into the hotel room, she was in awe. The place was beyond nice. Inside, there were several sofas in the center. On one side there was a well stocked bar and on the other was a glass door that lead out onto a balcony. Being cream and gold, everything had this Midas touch look to it. She was almost afraid to step full into the room.

"Nice huh?" Remy said pulling her inside.

'Yeah." That was just one of the words Rogue was able to get out of her shocked expression. "it's beautiful."

"Compliments you nicely." Remy said earning a blush from Rogue.

"Ahem." The bell boy cleared his throat to get his attention. "Where shall I put your bags Sir?"

"In the bedroom." Remy replied.

Rogue caught a glimpse of the bed as the door to the room opened. Wow. It was a king size bed with a thick red comforter trimmed in gold. Just one bed.

"You don't like." Remy said to her trying to read her emotions.

"I like." Rogue avoided looking in his eyes and replied. "It's just that it's one bed."

"Oh." Remy tipped the bell boy and ushered him out the suite. He walked back over to Rogue and wrapped his around her resting his chin on her shoulder. "It's big enough fa de two of us or do ya want me ta sleep on de couch."

His warm breath on her neck sent chills down her spine. Rogue was speechless. Part of her wanted to push him away because of the curse she calls her mutant. The other part of her wanted him to lead her to the bedroom to mess up the sheets.

"I sleep on de couch." Remy said unwrapping his arms from around her. "Dis just be fa tonight." He began checking his belt to make sure the disk was secure. "Ya should be safe here fa de night."

"Excuse me." Rogue snapped from her drool fest to question him. Did he just imply that I'm staying here?

'I say ya be safe here tonight." He repeated and pulled out some money. "Here is 200 dollars. Ya can order room service if ya git hungry. I won't be back til early morning."

Rogue looked at the money he offered her and refused to take it. "I'm not staying here tonight." She said. "I'm going with you to fight."

"It be too dangerous fa ya, Chere." Remy replied. "Ya be safer here."

"you can't fight Magneto alone." Rogue reminded him. "He outnumbers you 3 to 1."

"Those just be statistics." Remy replied confident in himself. "Dey don't mean nothing."

"They mean you're gonna get yourself killed." Rogue said and folded her arms. "I'm coming with you whether you like it or not."

"No y'aint." Remy replied. He was starting to get aggravated with her. "Ya staying here." He said louder than intended. "I be fighting my own battles. Not ya."

Rogue was quite shocked at the outburst. He had never acted like that in front of her. "I just wanted to help." She said explaining herself.

"Well I don't need help." Remy replied. He knew she only wanted to help him, but he couldn't risk anything happening to her. He raised his hand to her face and traced her jaw with his two covered fingers. "And I don't be wanting ya ta get hurt."

"I'm not gonna get..."

Remy silenced her with his two covered fingers. Rogue didn't try to fight him. She could tell by the look in his eyes that he was worried about her and that he was afraid.

Remy lower his hand. "I need ta be getting." The sooner I take out Magneto, the sooner I come back to her. "I'll be back soon."

"Wait." Rogue pulled him back to face her. She slid her hands across his chest. His body armor was thick and she really wanted to feel the muscles underneath.

Remy's heart skipped a beat as she slid his trench coat off. She was so close to him, yet so far away at the same time. He really wanted to get out of his body armor and suit at the moment and lead her in the bedroom to...Get your head out of the gutter Remy. You have work to do. "This not de time Chere." He said grabbing her hands. "I got business ta take care of."

"I know." Rogue replied getting out of his grip. "But you have too much metal on you."

"Oh." Remy answered as she undid his body armor. Boy I feel stupid. The fuchsia body armor that consisted of metal and a bullet proof chest plate fell to the ground.

As the armor fell, Rogue couldn't find a way to pull herself away. The black leather body suit he was wearing clung to him tightly in all the right places.

Remy bent down and pulled off his boots. He could feel her eyes on him the entire time and wondered what was actually going through her head at that moment. He took out his piercing and replaced his tongue ring with a clear tab. No more metal. Then he stood there not sure what he wanted to do next. It was like he couldn't even think straight anymore. Why does this girl have this effect on me like this?

Rogue hugged him and rest her head on his chest. She could feel his heart racing as he wrapped his arms around her. "I don't want you to go." She said as she looked up into his ruby eyes.

Remy bowed his head down. "I need to do this." He said. "I need to set things right."

Rogue leaned into his chest and nodded. He's too brave for his own good. She thought to herself. She felt one hand trace circles on her back while the other one ran through her hair.

"I'm gonna be back." Remy kissed the top of her head. "Don't worry so much about me. I'm gonna be fine."

Rogue looked back up into his eyes. "Promise."

"I promise." Remy replied. He leaned down and pulled her closer to him.

Rogue didn't fight him. She wanted to meet her lips with his, even if it was only for a brief second.

Knock KnockKnockKnock

They pulled away slowly and unwanting as they heard it.

"Who is it?" Remy asked not happy about the interruption.

"Room Service."

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Storm's cape fluttered behind her as she, Nightcrawler, and Wolverine headed towards the X-jet.

"Storm, I was not able to locate Gambit using Cerebro." Xavier said into the communicator. "But I have picked up Rogue. I'm sending you the coordinates to the location. Hopefully, Gambit is still around her."

"Yes Professor." Storm replied. She held a placid look on her face as she made her way into the X-jet. She wondered what possessed Remy to run off like that and to take Rogue with him. She just hoped they would get there in time.

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Well this chapter is done. I better get working on Chapter 26. It's where all the action is.

FYI: Gambit uses Robert Lord as one of his alias.

Thanks for all of the reviews and thanks for being patient with me.

Michelle