G'Day. I wanna send a BIG thank you out to everyone who reviewed! I couldn't believe the response I got! My inbox was flooded with reviews! '^_^' I'm so glad people are enjoying this!! So so so glad! Anyways, we have to play the Q&A game again, so here we go:
Hollywinter wants to know why Rogue isn't trusted. Because m'dear, when she first showed up she was a bad guy in the comics, and that's what I'm sticking to. She was a nasty, devious bad guy, completely unworthy of trust. That's why they don't trust her.
Gaea wants to know if Rogue has Carol's powers. Yes, I'm sticking to the Marvel cannon, so yes, yes she does. Oh and as for the X-Man they killed, okay so that was my fault. I don't even know if Carol was an X-Man or not… merde. I know she was their friend but other then that. Well, let's just say for my story's sake Rogue killed Miss. Marvel when she took her powers, even though that's not completely true… but I really don't wanna go too deep into detail about Carol since I know, well not too much about her.
Summers2004 wants me to bring on the Ro/Lo love. But, he's getting married! 0.0
Okay! I think that's it for that.
I used a lot of dialogue right out of the comics for the end bit with Logan and Rogue. It all comes from issues 172 and 173, both by our good friend Chris Claremont. I kinda went over those part a little fast, but they're more for people who haven't read those two issues then anything else. It's just the developing of the friendship between Rogue and Wolverine.
I Never Knew
TheWalrusWasPaul
Chapter Two: Welcome to Japan!
Rogue tossed her suitcase in the van that contained only Storm and Peter, yet was non the less full. Apparently some certain teen aged computer wiz hadn't learnt how to 'pack lightly' yet. When Storm had told her that they would only be in Japan less then a week, Kitty had rolled her eyes and replied.
"I know that Storm! But I'm acting as Miko*! I have to look good!"
"Child, Mariko is supplying you with a kimono as well as a wig," Storm had told the over excited girl. In the end she'd given up and the other X-Men were forced to find other mean of transportation. Kurt and Kitty had taken off in Scott Summer's sports car leaving Remy and Rogue standing in the garage, trying to decide between the jeep or Remy's bike.
Rogue sighed impatiently, "Will ya pick already?" she asked with a shake of her head. She'd taken his advice and for once her hair was not slicked back. Instead it fell loose and hung just above her shoulders, she did have to admit that it looked better this way.
"Rogue chere, don' rush me!" he said looking first at the bike, then at the jeep.
She heaved a great sigh and lowered herself on the seat of his motor bike, using it like a chair. "Just lemme know when you've figured it out."
Remy took a moment to admire how she looked on the bike and slowly a smirk appeared on his face. "Alright chere, we take de bike." He said pulling two helmets off of the hooks along the back wall and handed one to her. As she put it on he climbed onto the bike, making sure his ever present duster was out of the way of the wheels. He turned to look at Rogue who was standing there, holding her helmet in one hand. "Ya commin' chere?" he asked.
She shook her head clear and nodded, "Ya." She pulled the helmet on and hopped on the back of the bike.
"Y'd better hold on tight chere." He warned as he began to gun the engine, loving the feel of the bike.
She rolled her eyes and instead of holding his waist held on to the bottom of her seat, "Ah've got super strength remember Gambit? Ah won't fall off."
Remy sighed, oh well, couldn't blame a guy for trying. With a grin on his face he brought the bike to life and they sped out of the garage and towards the airport.
~*~
*Twack!*
Remy quickly raised a finger to his lips, indicating that Rogue keep quiet. The Mississippi native quickly covered her mouth with her hand, trying to keep a straight face as Peter Rasputian shouted in surprise. The big Russian stood up and turned around, scanning the airplane, trying to find his attacker.
Remy quickly turned to Rogue and made it look as though they were engaged in pleasant conversation. Peter gave them a long hard look, before concluding that one of the other passengers was to blame. He sat down again without a word. Rogue began to laugh quietly, her and Remy bent their heads together conspiratorially. He winked at her and pulled something out of his pocket.
*Twack!*
Peter jumped up with a speed that belied his size, his clear blue eyes immediately sought out the southern couple who were once again engaged in innocent conversation. Remy turned away from Rogue and waved to Peter. The Russian narrowed his eyes but sat down again. He shook his head and turned his attention to the in-flight movie.
*Twack!*
Once more Peter stood up and glared at his team mates who were pointing at something out the window. He glanced around at the other passengers and caught sight of two young boys giggling about something. He decided that perhaps it hadn't been the two newest X-Men that had been throwing peanuts at him the entire four hours they'd been on the plane. He cast a menacing glare in the direction of the two boys who immediately went silent. 'There'. He thought with some satisfaction, 'that should stop the problem.' He had just sat down again and was beginning to doze off when suddenly…
*Twack!*
Peter rolled his eyes and slouched down in his seat. The flight was less then half completed… it would be a long flight…
~*~
Rogue had been dreading the flight all night, fourteen hours was a long time to be stuck in the same seat. But once the plane had taken off (and Gambit had calmed down, he hadn't liked the idea of flying too much, despite his cool exterior), Remy had picked up the bag of peanuts and winked at her. She'd hardly been able to contain her laughter at the expression on Peter's face. She almost felt bad for him. So maybe this wasn't the best way to gain the trust and respect of her new team mates, as far as most of them were concerned she would never be trustworthy and somehow that knowledge really hurt her. So maybe she hadn't made the best choices in her youth. It wasn't all her fault, okay so maybe most of it was, but not all of it! That day back on the banks of the Mississippi when Mystique had found her, she'd been so scared and very much alone. What had she supposed to say to the beautiful women offering her a real home? 'No thanks lady, Ah'd rather stay here an' die alone thanks'? It hadn't been her fault Mystique had raised her to be a terrorist! So maybe she was accountable for her actions under Mystique, but she'd been young and afraid. As far as she'd been concerned no one else would ever take her in, so why not juts shut up and do as she was told? It kept a roof over her head, and Mystique was showing her how to control her powers, something she didn't think anyone would ever be able to help her do.
The incident with Miss Marvel, she had to admit was her fault. Had she only let go a moment sooner, Carol would still have her powers and maybe Rogue's own powers would not have gone as crazy. That, and the X-Men wouldn't hate her….
Rogue was starting to unpack her suitcase when she heard the door open, she smiled assuming it was Remy. "Heya Gambit, if ya give me a minute t'unpack we can go sight seein'." She said referring to the plans they'd made earlier.
"It ain't the Cajun girl."
Rogue straightened up and turned to face her host, "Wolverine! Ah- Ah'm sorry, you startled me." She said, more then a little intimidated by their gruff Canadian host.
He was standing in the door way, with his arms crossed over his chest, "Everyone's in the livin' room, figured you might as well be there to." He said, his voice sounding less then happy, "We need to figure out what t'do 'bout Viper." With that he turned and left her alone.
Rogue watched him go, her good mood fading. How could she ever hope to become an X-Man if no one would even give her a chance? Sure Xavier had told her she was one of them, but she sure didn't feel like it. She sighed and made her way to the kitchen.
Everyone was indeed there, Kurt, Kitty and Peter were one the couch with one of Mariko's maids serving them tea. Storm stood to one side, conversing with Wolverine. She quickly scanned the room and spotted Gambit seated at the bar looking bored out of his mind. She had a feeling he was debating whither or on the could snag one of the bottles of alcohol and dump it in his tea before anyone noticed.
Rogue walked over to him and pulled herself into the seat next to his. "Hey Gambit."
"Salut Rogue." He said, his voice relatively flat, he really was bored.
"Why ya hidin' out over here? The X-Men don't hate ya you know." She said thanking the maid as she poured Rogue a cup of tea. The maid bowed and left, her yellow robes not making a sound.
"Says you." He'd been resting his head in his hands, but now turned to look at her, "Dey tolerate me m're den you, but dey still don' like me too much." He glanced over her shoulder at the three seated on the couch, "'Sides would you really want to sit with does three?" he nodded his head to Kurt, Kitty and Peter, "Dey be de sickest little love triangle I ever seen."
Rogue smiled slightly, "Why don't they like ya Gambit? You're a good guy." She said, taking a sip of her tea.
Gambit regarded her for a moment, "Dey jus' don' like how I came to be on de team is all." The way he said it, made it clear he didn't want to discuss it further.
She was about to ask him what he meant when she saw him slump over onto the floor, eyes closed. A shout made its way to her lips, but died as the world went black. The last thing she heard was Wolverine's shout.
"Storm—don't drink!"
~*~
Rogue blinked, her head pounding something awful. She turned her head to one side and saw Gambit in the bed next to her, an IV hooked up to his arm. She slowly raised a hand to her face and saw she too had one.
"What happened…?" she managed to say. Thanking whatever was watching over her that she had Carol's invulnerability, her body was quickly beginning to recover.
A doctor came over to her and began speaking in Japanese. Rogue blinked and shook her head, "Ah'm sorry, Ah don't speak Japanese."
The doctor paused for a moment then nodded and began again in English, "Ah, miss, you should be resting. The poison we found in your system was very strong. Bad enough Logan-san is up, we cannot risk you getting out of bed."
Rogue's eyes widened, "Poison?!" she exclaimed, sitting up quickly. Her body was near full strength now.
"Hai, the others are in critical condition." He explained, adjusting his glasses, "If they make it through the night, they will recover. That is a big if though miss."
Rogue felt the colour drain from her face, who would do this? They weren't even in Japan as super heroes! They were here to attend their friend's wedding! She flung the covers aside and cast a long look down at Gambit's sleeping face. "Ah'm fine doctor." She said at his concerned glance, he nodded a little reluctantly but left her to examine Kitty.
Kitty. She was younger then Rouge herself! Anger shot through Rogue, sure she was an annoying kid, but she didn't deserve this kind of death! Rogue looked to one side and saw Wolverine up and pulling on his uniform. Following his example, Rogue quickly grabbed her uniform and ducked behind a curtain.
Emerging a few moments latter she paused only to run her gloved hand over Gambit's face, hoping against hope that he would make it. "Ya can't die, Gambit. Ah need someone on mah side." With that she moved to where Wolverine was arguing with Mariko. He was talking about tracking down the one responsible for this. And that suited her just fine.
"Ah'm comin' with you, Wolverine." She said as she approached the couple.
"The heck you are."
Rogue narrowed her eyes, "Ah'm an X-Man, mister, Xavier said so!" there they went again! Why wouldn't they at least let her try?
"Work with him the, kiddo, not me." He said, his voice gruff and dismissing.
Rogue extended a hand towards him, "How'm Ah s'posed t'prove mahself if none o'you'll give me the chance, huh?!" she demanded, her accent getting thicker with emotion.
Wolverine was pulling on his mask, "What about the poison?"
She stuck her hands on her hips, "Ah'm half alien, remember? It wasn't so effective on me." She explained, "Considerin' our condition, an' what's at stake, you need a back-up."
He paused and looked at her, with a sigh he admitted, "makes sense—much as I wish it didn't." he turned and flung open the doors to the intensive care unit, "But you follow my lead, youngster, my orders—ev'ry flamin' step o' the way!" he said with a growl as he left the hospital, Rogue right behind him.
~*~
Traveling around through the underbelly of Japan was certainty boosting Rogue's confidence. Even Wolverine had been impressed about the way she'd handled herself against the guy who'd pulled a sai on her. She was cocky, and far too young, but he was beginning to see her a little differently. He was not one to give away trust or friendship, and she had a long way to go before earning them, but she was getting closer.
Rogue flew her and Wolverine to Nabatone's estate in an attempt to get some answers. She was impressed at the size of the building, 'Sure don't have places like this back home.' She mused to herself as Wolverine located the door.
She noticed the estate was rather devoid of human life, "No guards?" she asked, keeping behind Wolverine.
"Doesn't look like it. Stay close an' stay quiet. Follow my lead." He ordered as they crept through the long dark hall ways.
Rogue smiled, "Sho' nuff, boss." She teased, exaggerating her accent, "Anything you say."
She heard a growl from her fearless leader, "You think we're playin' games kid?"
There he went with the 'kid' again. She wasn't a kid! She calmed herself before answering, "Nosiree. Ah'm just not afraid o'bein' hurt. One o' the benefits o'bein' invulnerable." She explained as she turned a corner, keeping her eyes open despite her bragging.
"Famous last words." He grumbled as he crouched to the ground.
"Mah stars, Wolvie, you sound jealous!" she teased, wondering if he'd cut out her heart for the nick name.
He frowned a little, but before he could say anything, he caught a scent. "Someone's downstairs, alone." He said.
Rogue nodded and started off down another hall, "What're we waitin' for?!" She asked, excited at the prospect of seeing more action, "Let's go get the sucker!" Before she could take another step, Wolverine had knocked her flat on her ass, "Hey!" she protested. She was about to tell him off when a laser beam went flying from the wall and impacted on a statue where she'd just been standing. The poor statue exploded into more pieces then Rogue would have cared to count. She gasped. That beam looked darn powerful! She seriously doubted her powers would have saved her from that one. She paused, but Wolverine had.
"Next time, watch your step. That statue coulda been you!" Wolverine growled.
Rogue sat up and looked down at him, "Mah hero." She said, a smile on her face, "A save like that deserves a reward." She wasn't really thinking too clearly, still more shaken from her near death experience then she'd ever admit. All she knew was that they were sprawled on the floor in a dark hallway. Completely alone. She had to admit he was attractive, despite his rather rough personality. She lowered her face to his, preparing to reward him.
"No."
Rogue gasped as he thrust a fist under her chin, not knocking her off of him. But moving her head away from his. "Don't ever pull a stunt like that, make a threat like that—t'me, or any other X-Man—even as a joke, understand?!" he demanded as he got to his feet and started moving on.
"Ah…" Rogue raised a hand to her neck, "Ah didn't mean any harm!" she couldn't believe she'd done that! What had she been thinking!
"That's why you're still breathing." He replied. Her powers bothered him a great deal, Carol had been a friend of his. He couldn't forgive or forget the girl's actions that easily.
Rogue watched him walk away, her head hanging. At this rate they'd never come to trust her…
~*~
She saw it before he did, he was too concerned for the safety of his fiancée to care what was about to happen to him. After they'd found Mariko, Viper had rushed them with the Silver Samurai. Rogue had been dealing with the rest of her body guards when she saw Viper reach for her gun. Before she could think Rogue was flying at top speed, trying to intercept the beam of light that was heading for Wolverine and Mariko.
"Take a hike shorty!" she said as she shoved the couple out of harm's way, "Lemme do mah good deed f'r the day." She threw herself in front of the beam, blocking it from her team mate.
Viper smirked at Rogue, "A noble gesture X-Man. I hope your compeers appreciate your sacrifice."
Rogue winced, the beam was strong, she knew that much. She could feel it! Pain, she hadn't felt that in a while… "Joke's on you lady. They couldn't care less whether Ah live or die!" Rogue struggled to keep the beam from Wolverine and Mariko. Mariko had been the one to treat her with respect, she'd accepted her right off. The only other person to treat her that way had been Gambit, everyone else seemed determined to reject her. Rogue doubled her efforts, she couldn't let Mariko be hurt!
She heard Wolverine shout something, and Viper scream as her gun overloaded and sent her flying backwards. Rogue felt blackness begin to collect at the edges of her mind, something in her registered that she wasn't on the ground, but rather in Wolverine's arms.
"Gee, Wolvie," she said weakly, "Guess Ah ain't as invulnerable as Ah thought…" she said, knowing that she probably wouldn't survive this. She could feel her body beginning to shut down on her. She actually felt scared for a moment, scared she'd never get to grow up, never fall in love, never do anything. "So much for mah brilliant career." She paused and drew in a ragged breath, "An', Ah think mah life."
"Don't talk stupid. My healing factor can save you." Wolverine said.
Rogue's eyes flew open, "No! You need t'save yourself! If Ah absorb your powers Wolverine, you may die!" She felt terror envelop her. As her eyes slid shut, she didn't want to die. But she didn't want to be responsible for any more deaths.
"My risk. 'Sides Darlin'—who's gonna stop me?" With that he lowered his lips to Rogue's as he repaid his debt. She'd saved him, now he'd save her…
~*~
Gambit awoke in the hospital the next morning to find Rogue beside his bed in a wheel chair? "What happened t'you?" he asked, sitting up, a little feebly.
Rogue smiled at him, "Ah made a friend." Wolverine was fine, he hadn't held the kiss for very long. Rogue would make a full recovery, and in a day or two she'd be back on her feet.
Gambit arched an eyebrow, "A friend?" he recognized that smile on her face, "Should I be jealous chere?"
Rogue sighed, "Ah don't know Sugah," she said, calling him the name for the first time. "Ah thought we were just friends. If we're just friends, y'all got nothin' to be jealous of." With that she winked at him and wheeled herself out of the room.
Gambit watched her go, concerned for her well being. He paused as he felt something else. That look on her face, she had a crush on this 'new friend' of hers. He groaned as he looked at the ceiling. He couldn't be. Wouldn't let himself be!
Damnit…
He was jealous….
~*~
*Miko- Kinda like a maid of honour is how Kitty describes it.
Wow! That was pretty long for me! Even if a hunk of it was from the comics!
So there ya go, hey… didn't Gambit say something about his past? '^_^' here we go… and oh no! Rogue doesn't really have a crush on Logan does she?! Stay tuned to find out!! Review though! I wanna know what y'all think!
See ya on the flip side,
TheWalrusWasPaul