"Hello?" asked Destiny once she opened the door again.
"Hello Destiny."
"Rogue? Is that you?"
"Yes."
"Oh Rogue, I'm so glad you came," said Destiny as she reached out to touch Rogue, but Rogue stepped back.
"I'm not wearing gloves Destiny."
"Oh," said a deflated Destiny as she pulled her hands back in. "Rogue is there someone else with you?"
"Yes, this is Remy, he's my . . . well . . . he's my . . ."
"Remy LeBeau, ma'am. It's nice to meet you," said Remy as he reached out and shook Destiny's hand.
"Hello Remy," said Destiny.
"Come inside you two," said Destiny. Once inside Rogue searched her bag for an extra pair of gloves. She put them on and led Gambit to her room. Her room was pretty much the way she left it, except cleaner, but to her surprise there was a sleeping bag on the floor.
"Is that for me?" asked Gambit.
"I don't know. I guess so," said Rogue. The pair put their things in Rogue's room and went back out to the living room with Destiny.
"Destiny, why is there a sleeping bag in my room?"
"I saw that you would bring someone with you," said Destiny, "but I expected it to be a girl. I don't know what kind of relationship you two have, but I'm not sure you should be sharing a room."
"I hope you're not trying to win mom of the year all of a sudden, because that ship has definitely sailed," snapped Rogue.
"Rogue, I'm just trying to protect you. That's all I've ever wanted to do," said Destiny.
"You don't have to protect me from Gambit."
"I thought his name was Remy."
"Gambit's a nickname, ma'am," said Gambit, trying to change the subject and hopefully relieve the tension.
"Oh, well I don't think Xavier would let you and whoever he is share a room, Rogue."
"Well, I don't think you have any right to tell me who I can and can't share a room with."
"I raised you."
"Because you were paid too!"
"That's not true. I loved you, and Raven loved you too."
"You lying . . ." before Rogue could finish, Gambit pulled her to the side.
"Chere, calm down," said Gambit as he rubbed her back and hushed her, "Just calm down. Everything's gonna be all right."
"Rogue, I don't want to fight with you. I just want to celebrate your birthday and see you. Are you hungry? There's food in the fridge and I've got birthday cake," said Destiny.
Gambit and Rogue were hungry. It was the middle of the evening and they hadn't eaten since lunch. Rogue opened the fridge and looked around until she decided what she wanted. Then Rogue pulled out a skillet poured some vegetable oil in it and let it simmer. After that, Rogue went back to the fridge and pulled out some chicken cutlets. Meanwhile Gambit took a seat at the kitchen table and proceeded to watch Rogue cook. Rogue had cut up the chicken cutlets into bite-size pieces and was frying them in the skillet. Then she took out a somewhat large blue bowl and cut up half a head of lettuce into it. She then poured salad dressing and croutons into the bowl and mixed it all together. While she was doing that she noticed Gambit had gotten up and was looking through the cupboards. Gambit pulled out a few bottles of spices and started sprinkling them on the chicken. Rogue smiled at Gambit and he smiled back.
"I hope you don't mind salad," said Rogue. Gambit really wasn't a "salad person," but at the moment he didn't mind (as long as he got to season the chicken).
"Doesn't bother me, chere."
"I just thought it would be something we could make quickly, since we haven't eaten in a while."
"Good thinkin'."
"Are you gonna take care of that chicken?"
"Sure, chere," said Gambit.
Gambit, Rogue, and Destiny ate dinner together almost in complete silence. No one said a word until after dinner when Destiny brought out a small birthday cake. Destiny offered to sing "Happy Birthday," but Rogue sullenly declined. Halfway through the cake, Destiny tried to make contact.
"You know Rogue, I remember the first time we celebrated this day. You were turning five years old. I turned around to find the birthday candles and then when I came back I asked you where I should put the candles and you said something, but your mouth was full, and I said, "Rogue, are you eating?" and you said yes, and I said, "Rogue, what are you eating?" and you said, "Cake," and I said, "Rogue, are you eating your birthday cake?" and you said no. I said, "Rogue, what cake are you eating?" and you said . . ."
"Is this story going anywhere?" asked Rogue.
"I was just trying to show you how cute you were."
"I'm not interested," said Rogue.
"Okay, well, how are your friends at Xavier's institute?" asked Destiny.
"Why do you want to know? Did Mystique ask for a report?"
"No, I was just making conversation."
"I'll bet."
"Rogue, I know you're angry, but you have no right to treat me this way in my own house."
"After what you did to me, you deserve everything you get."
"What? What did I do? Take care of you? Feed you? Clothe you?"
"You used me or at least you knew Mystique would."
"That's not true. We didn't tell you everything, but that doesn't mean . . ."
"Did you care about me at all?"
"Of course."
"Liar!"
"Rogue, you're being . . ."
"Shut up!" screamed Rogue. Destiny gasped. "Just shut up. I'm sick of your lies. I'm sick of you. You betrayed me. How am I supposed to walk around knowing my own "mother" never gave a damn about me! How am I not supposed to feel worthless! How am I not supposed to be suspicious of everyone and everything! And how can you expect to just buy me a stupid cake and give me an ugly necklace and then assume everything's all right? I hate you. I hate you so much. As a matter of fact, I hate you more than Mystique, because you pretended to care. You pretended you loved me."
"I did love you," Destiny said through tears.
"Liar!" screamed Rogue and then she moved to slap Destiny, but Gambit got up and grabbed her hand. With that Rogue turned around and cried into Gambit's chest. He held her and kissed the top of her head(all hair, no skin contact). He didn't bother to say anything because he knew nothing would make her feel better at that point. Gambit led Rogue to her room and shut the door. Rogue continued to cry, while Gambit continued to hold her. After a while, Gambit noticed the crying had ended and Rogue seemed to be asleep. Gambit gently laid her on her bed, and was just about to get up when Rogue spoke.
"Do you think I overreacted?" asked Rogue.
"No, chere."
"She really was a good mom. That's why it hurt so much."
"I know, chere. Get some rest," said Gambit.
Big ups to my reviewers: That means you ishandahalf, and you MidniteGothAngel,and anyone else who might review between now and whenever I post this. Thanx
