G'Day! I'm sooooo happy everyone seemed to like this idea! *happy dance* But there were a few questions, so now it's time to play the G&A game! *insert cheesy theme music here*
Okay!
Ethix seemed to want know why I threw Rogue in right away. Well, because I thought that intro would be endlessly amusing! Lol, shameless I know… And why I didn't talk about how Remy ended up with the team. All I'm gonna say is maybe there's a good reason I didn't tell. 'Maybe'? Hell there is a good reason why I didn't tell! Mauwhaha!
Just me wants to know why Rogue wasn't wearing any gloves! And yes there actually is a reason! Had I not just done the prologue from Remy's POV I would have mentioned it. In the original comic Rogue joins the team in (#171, Chris Claremont. Yes I have it, it's older then me! Isn't that sad?!) When she's sitting around telling the team why she needs their held she's not wearing gloves, I guess she took 'em off at some point. Couldn't tell ya exactly why she has them off, but she does.
Oh, there was a comment about Storm and Gambit's relationship. Well this story pretty much follows the comic time line (with the exception of Gambit's appearance), so if we're sitting at around issue #171, remember that in the series Gambit and Storm don't meet until issue #266 (which I can't find! GRRR!!!!!) So They never had a chance to develop the closeness they have later on.
And I think that does it!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except everything. But really except the song 'November Rain' which is by Guns N Roses. '^_^' And the song 'American Woman' by those wonderful fellow Canucks, the Guess Who!
I Never Knew
TheWalrusWasPaul
Chapter One: Gradual Acceptance
Remy woke up a few days later with a killer headache. He sat up in his bed and rubbed his temples, he didn't remember drinking last night, then again the fact that he couldn't remember could explain the pain he felt. He held a hand out in front of his mouth and blew, he checked his breath, but it didn't smell like booze. Now officially confused he tired to remember what had happened to him. He'd just begun to collect his thoughts when suddenly his door opened with a creek and a tray of food appeared.
"The Professor thought ya might be kinda hungry when ya woke up so Ah volunteered…" It was Rogue, clad in what he assumed to be her regular uniform, tight green pants, a jacket of the same colour with a thick white stripe around the edges and down the front flap that covered the fastenings. The jacket came complete with an oversized hood, her out fit was topped off by green gloves that came to the middle of her forearms and ended with the same white stripe as the jacket, and green boots, complete with heel. He loved the way the outfit matched her eyes perfectly, he wondered if she knew how pretty she really was.
Remy arched an eyebrow at her, "And who might you be chere?"
The young woman looked at him, her green, green eyes a little confused, "Ah'm the reason yoah in here." She set the tray down on his night table and straightened up, "Don't ya remember?"
Remy thought for a minute, "I remember kissin' your hand… den everythin' went black." He smirked at the girl, "You must be one hell of a femme to knock a man out with a touch as small as dat." He grinned at her, putting his charm on over drive, "Mabbe later you show me what it's like to really touch you." He made sure his eyes traveled over every part of her body and made really sure she knew it.
The girl looked sad for a moment, "That's mah power." She said softly, suddenly finding her hands very interesting. "Whenevah people touch mah bare skin Ah absorb their thoughts an' feelings and if their mutants, their powers."
Remy sat back in his bed, giving his tee shirt containing an image of John Lennon, a tug. "But why would you do it t'me?"
She let out a great sigh, "Ah can't control it."
"At all?"
"Nope."
Remy felt an emotion he'd not felt in a long, long time, he was pretty sure it was pitty, "Dat's horrible, a life wit'out touch…" he looked her up and down, "And so pretty too, shame dat, real shame."
Suddenly the girl came to life she glared at Remy with something akin to hate in her eyes, "Ah don't need or want yer pity Swamp Rat!" she said, the fire in her eyes looking as though it just might burn him.
"Swamp Rat?" he asked, amused at her temper.
"Yer Cajun, from the swamp." She explained, still glaring at him.
Remy nodded, "Oui, I am at dat." He turned to her, "Dere be a name t'go with de temper?"
"Rogue." She answered simply, running a hand through her slicked back hair, a nervous habit she'd had since she was a kid.
"Cute code name chere," Remy answered looking at the white streak that ran through her hair, "But what's your real name?"
She crossed her arms over her chest in a defensive manner, "Ah'm just Rogue."
Remy climbed out of his bed, his favorite flannel pants wrinkled from sleep, and took her gloved hand in his, "Well, jus' Rogue, my name's Remy LeBeau." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
Rogue glared at him and snatched her hand away, "What do ya think yer doin'? Didn't ya lean not t' touch me? Or are ya really that stupid?"
Remy placed a hand over his heart, "Chere, dat hurts." He leaned forward until his face was mere inches from hers, "About your powers chere," Rogue felt her pulse begin to race against her better judgment, "Don't nobody know how Gambit loves a challenge." With that he sauntered out of his room leaving a very bewildered X-Man behind.
~*~
Ororo walked into the kitchen at 1 am knowing full well who would be there. "Remy, I need to talk to you." She said sitting down across from the young man, who'd only been with the X-Men for a short time and therefore had never gone up against Rogue and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Her and Remy had been at odds since he joined the team a few months ago, she couldn't stand his cocky attitude or the way he thought he was God's gift to women. Dear Goddess did the man even know the meaning of the word modesty?
"What's on your mind Stormy?"
She frowned at the nick name. He seemed determined to piss her off, unfortunately for him, she was a master at controlling her temper. "I want to talk to you about Rogue." She said the name with a little distain, which was odd for her. But it showed Remy just how much she disliked this girl.
"What 'bout her?" he asked leaning back in his chair. He was clad in the same flannel pants and tee shirt he'd been in earlier. His eyes glowed faintly in the dark kitchen as he appraised Storm. Would she warn him away from the girl? Tell him that she was dangerous and not to be trusted? He had a feeling that was where this was going.
"I want you to be careful around her, she is not to be trusted."
Wow, he didn't see that coming, he thought, rolling his eyes. "She never done anyt'in' t'me Storm." He stated plainly, "Don' see why I can't give her a chance."
Storm's blue eyes narrowed slightly, and there was a flash of lightening outside. "She may not have done anything to you Remy LeBeau, but remember that she was responsible for the death of a fellow X-Man, and that is not something that is easily forgiven." She stood up, "or forgotten." With that she made to leave the room, hoping that Remy would at lest use caution when approaching Rogue.
"I thought de X-Men were all about second chances chere?"
Storm paused, and turned back to face Remy. He was right. She lowered her head, "Perhaps you are right." She said softly, "The Professor did, after all give me a second chance, not to mention you." She looked him in the eye, "If we were deserving of a second chance perhaps she is as well."
"All you can do is give her a chance Stormy." He said, suddenly sounding much wiser then his nineteen years.
She regarded him, "You are right, I will try…" she turned, but before she left shot tow final words over her shoulder, "My friend."
Remy had to smile as she left, Storm called very few people her friends, and he could honestly say he felt honoured to be included among them.
~*~
Rogue had to admit she was excited. She'd never been to Japan before and even if she figured the trip would be anything but pleasant considering the X-Men's reactions to her, she still found herself looking forward to going. She was in her room backing her suitcases with the radio blaring, she laughed as she caught herself singing along to the Guess Who's American Woman. 'Momma would have a fit, she always hated the Guess Who…' she mused as she continued to sing unabated.
"…I got more important things to do, then spend my time growing old with you-"
"Such as?"
Rogue jumped nearly ten feet in the air as she whirled around to find the Cajun X-Man standing in her door way. She quickly turned down the radio and resumed packing.
"What can Ah do for you Gambit?" she asked, knowing she was far from being on a first name bases with her new team mates.
He walked in and flopped down on her bed, tapping one foot on the floor to the beat of the song, "Jus' found you I'm sittin' wit' you on de plane. Saw your door open and figured I'd tell ya." He said looking around her room, "Chere, you really got to add a few personal t'ings to dis room. Looks like a hotel room…" he mused, noting the empty spaces on the dressers and the bare shelves.
Rogue shrugged, "Ah nevah had much of a chance to collect 'person affects', too much movin' around with Momma." She said as she closed her suitcase and turned to face him.
Remy was impressed, so far things were going well, they weren't trying to bite each other's heads off. It was a start, now if only he could get her to lighten up a bit… "Y'ever been to Japan?"
She shook her head, her short slicked back hair never moving. "Naw, Ah'm kinda excited 'bout it." She admitted, leaning against her dresser.
"Rogue chere." He said standing up, "Ya really gotta do somethin' 'bout dat hair o'yours."
Rogue frowned a little, "What's wrong with mah hair?" she asked defensively. So maybe it wasn't the most impressive hair style in the world, but it was practical and she kinda liked it.
Remy shook his head, "Jus' do me a favor and don' slick it back on de plane tomorrow, okay chere?" he asked smirking inwardly as the song began to change, he made his way towards her.
Rogue arched an eye brow, "Alright, Gambit… Ah guess Ah can do that…" she paused and rushed back over to the radio to turn it up, "Ah love this song…" she said wistfully.
"Den, come dance with me chere." Remy said, extending his hand.
She looked at him, "But what if Ah…"
He shook his head, "You've got your gloves on, now come dance bef're the song ends."
Rogue smiled slightly and took his hand, he took her in his arms and they began to sway softly to the song…
~I know it's hard to keep an open heart
When even friends seem out to harm you
But if you could heal a broken heart
Wouldn't time be out to charm you
Sometimes I need some time...on my
Own sometimes I need some time...all alone
Everybody needs some time...on their own
Don't you know you need some time...all alone
And when your fears subside
And shadows still remain
I know that you can love me, ohhh yeahhh
When there's no one left to blame
So never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
'cause nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain~
Rogue sighed as Remy tighten his hold on her slightly, this was nice. For a moment she could almost pretend that everything was alright, that she was normal, that her touch wasn't potentially deadly and that the man holding her cared about her.
Remy for his part was actually enjoying being with her. Imagine enjoying being with one of the X-Men's worst foes. He sighed, she wasn't as bad as Ororo had told him, maybe the prof was right, maybe they should give her a chance. She was only seventeen after all, little more then a kid, not that he should talk. Since he was so close to her in age though he understood that maybe all she needed was a friend. He made it his mission to become her friend, even if the other X-Men weren't ready to trust her he figure one of them had to start the ball rolling, might as well be the one called Gambit.
They were still dancing when Ororo walked in, she frowned a little as she say the way the two were dancing. Didn't that boy realize that she was not to be trusted? She cleared her throat and the two jumped apart, "Gambit you are needed in the War Room." She announced, casting a glace at Rogue before leaving the room.
Remy shook his head and turned to Rogue, "Sorry chere, but mabbe we dance at the weddin' tomorrow neh?" he asked with a smirk as he disappeared out of the room before she could do more then nod. She watched him go, and shook her head in a vain attempt to clear it… did her pulse just speed up?
~Everybody needs somebody
You're not the only one~How could someone she'd only just met have an effect on her? She sighed and placed her suitcase by the door, it was probably just wishful thinking on her part. There was no way Remy would be interested in someone like her, someone he couldn't touch. She smiled softly, but that didn't mean they could be friends….
~You're not the only one~
~*~
There's the next installment! And I just know someone out there is thinking that their relationship is moving a bit too fast. But hey! It's Remy! This is what he does! But also keep in mind that their relationship is about to run into one helluva road block. Anyone else remember that whole idea of Rogue having a crush on a certain ill tempered Canuck? Well guess who's about to make his appearance! So evil…
I confess I love music, especially classic rock! (which yeah, my name kinda shows… it's a line from a Beatles track called 'Glass Onion') Yeah, but I have my reasoning behind sticking in music like that! Most people out there love music, hell it defines a pretty big part of teenaged life! (you know, the rap fans always seem in one group, the (shudder) pop fans in another) and I really think that the X-Men would have some opinion about music. So I made Rogue a classic rock fan! Mauwhaha! Just thought it might add something. Or at least have a bunch of readers with 'American Woman stuck in their heads! I know I do…
Anyways! Review! I wasn't planning on posting this chapter so soon, but I ended up with a ton of reviews and decided not to keep you waiting! Once again I know I'm shameless but what can ya do?
See ya on the flip side,
TheWalrusWasPaul
(Pssst! Anyone reading my Beyond the Spandex set, I'm sooo sorry! I have horrible writers' block! I've got the Peter/Kitty part written, but can't for the life of me write the smutty part of the Romy section! I'll try to get it out ASAP! Sorry guys! TheWalrusWasPaul)