Disclaimer: Don't own Gambit; do own Blaze

The Tokyo Job 04

Gambit woke slowly, wondering three things. Number one, why was the only thing he could taste tequila? Number two, where in the world was he and what time zone was he supposed to be working on? All right so number two was technically two questions, but call it parts A) and B), after all that's jet lag for you. Number three however was the really puzzling one. One of Remy's favourite first thing in the morning (even if it was afternoon) puzzles. It went something along the lines of whose bed he was in… And then he remembered.

Imbecile! He cursed himself mentally. Can't keep your damn hands off no pretty fille, even when she's Blaze! Why she let me? She wiser than that, once is one t'ing but twice? That's dangerously close to a relationship. Surely she don't want no…

Slowly he remembered a little more. Remembered that Blaze had wanted exactly one thing from him. Either he let her go, leave for Japan all alone, or he followed her. That was obviously what he had done. Tried to prove himself to her. And now they had to deal with whatever consequences that brought down on them. Including not being able to keep their hands off each other after a drink or twenty.

He opened his eyes. Gambit was alone, sprawled across the bed with limbs in all directions. He could hear a shower going somewhere. Presumably that's where Blaze was. Slowly recalling how to work his motor functions, he propped himself up on his elbows, facing the room. His gear was by the door where he'd dropped it off yesterday before going to find Blaze. The rest of the room was a cluttered kaleidoscope of Blaze's mess. On the desk by the window that overlooked the garden she'd been in yesterday were the plans for whatever job she was working on. Gambit's interest was piqued. Just why had Blaze picked Tokyo of all places?

The shower had become silent, the bathroom lock clicked as the door opened. Gambit flopped back down on the bed and pretended to be asleep. Blaze barely even checked he was still there, dropping her towel to the floor and going to a draw. She rummaged for a moment, stopping only to throw back a couple of painkillers. Remy opened his eyes again a fraction to watch her, enjoying the way she moved. She really was stunning… The antics of last night filled his mind and made him smile. Yes, stunning was about the right word…

Blaze knew she was being watched, but she refused to let it unnerve her. She dressed in comfortable jeans and a baggy t-shirt, leaving her feet bare and her hair loose. Tying the t-shirt in a knot over her hip to stop it from drowning her, she exposed her pierced belly button with its silver skull piercing. Given to her by an old friend who'd sworn to kill her, then tried to carry out that threat… What would Mercury, locked away for a very long time now, think about Blaze and her ex Gambit getting so friendly? She'd probably insist it was about time, Blaze thought, at least the pre-insanity Mercury would have.

The pile of work on her desk couldn't be left any longer. With a heavy sigh Blaze slid into the chair and gazed forlornly at the papers one more time. She knew exactly what each page showed, exhibiting her failure to think like this soon to be convicted Japanese thief. Why she was taking this so personally she couldn't decide. Perhaps she felt greater responsibility because she had been headhunted specifically for this job. Perhaps it was because finally she was building a reputation of her own in the criminal world, not as an accessory to Gambit's endeavours. Ask him for help, part of her advised, he won't mind. He'll take half the profits and all the glory, another part of her moaned, course he won't mind.

The shower started up again, Gambit had dragged himself out of bed at last. Blaze put her head on her arms, hiding her face. This close up, all the information on the papers became indistinguishable smudges. Fine by me, Blaze decided. Nobody can ask me to make sense of stuff I can't read…

"Whatcha workin' on?" She must have dozed off, because suddenly Gambit's hand was on her shoulder. Blaze jerked upright in a second, yawning in a most unladylike fashion. Remy rubbed her spine gently between her shoulder blades, leaning his other hand on the desk as he examined the clutter. Blaze thought her heart would burst her pulse raced that fast.

"Um, it's a steal from a private collection here in Tokyo." Blaze explained. "Here, that's the schematics for the building." A quick tug pulled out the blueprints, which Gambit examined professionally.

"Why don't you jus'…"

"Its not that easy." Blaze interrupted, turning in her seat to look at him. He bent his knees and crouched next to her so he was on a level with her and the desktop. His thigh nudged against hers, his lips so temptingly close… Get a grip! Blaze snapped at herself. "The client wants it done a certain way, he's been very specific, but I…"

"Your client's that lawyer who's card you left me." Gambit met Blaze's eyes sternly. "We've met, don't t'ink he was too impressed that I was trackin' you down. You know lawyers, Blaze, they don't like nothin' bein' outta their control…"

"What did you say to him?" Blaze asked, a little awe creeping into her voice as Gambit shook his head, refusing to tell her how he'd insulted her employer.

"You gonna do this? Set up an alibi for a guy you never met? If you get caught, you might be charged with his crimes too…"

"I don't know if I can Rem. I can't figure out how he works at all…" Blaze looked at him beseechingly. "Unless you…"

Gambit said nothing, brushing a strand of Blaze's hair back from her face with two fingers. He kissed her then, so gently. She responded without a thought, opening her mouth, feeling his tongue brush hers. Blaze ran her fingers through his hair at the back of his head, as Gambit braced himself holding the edge of the desk and the back of her chair. The softness of his lips and his feather-light touch drew a sigh from Blaze she felt him echo, before he broke the kiss saying, "You ask me that nice, Blaze, there ain't nothin' I'se not do for you…"