G'day!
Once again, SO happy everyone's still liking this! And a HUGE thank you to those who reviewed! You guys have no idea how happy it makes me! '^_^' 43 reviews on two chapter and a prologue is pretty good in my book!
Shout outs/Q&A game:
Ishy: just wait until Logan comes back from Japan… then we'll see just how jealous Remy can get!
Summers2004: Who says Ro/Lo won't hook up later on eh? Don't lose hope!
Samm16: Don't worry, I'm a sucker for happy endings… it's a curse…
To everyone else, thanks! But it's 2 am… and I have class at 9:30… merde…
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except everything…
Rating: PG still, but I've gone ahead and written a rather steamy scene… so it's offical the rating's gonna go up… oh well! It IS me, you hade to know that was gonna happen!
I Never Knew
TheWalrusWasPaul
Chapter Three: You're Cute When you Smile
Gambit sat next to Rogue as the wedding began, she was still in her wheel chair, but that didn't stop him from admiring the way her green kimono looked on her. With the way the bright sunlight shone on her red and white hair, she looked amazing despite the slight downward curve of her full red lips. So that was her new friend, the angry little Canadian man. Remy almost felt glad that Logan was about to be married, but he couldn't be completely glad, because that would mean he was jealous, which he was not!
"Smile a little chere, it's bad luck to frown at weddin's." he teased her, leaning towards her so his voice would not disturb the band that was playing a soft traditional piece. They were all eagerly awaiting the entrance of the bride, especially the man up front who was nervously shifting his weight from one foot to another.
Rogue looked at him and smiled cutely, "Since when?"
Gambit shrugged, "Don' know chere, but you sure are cute when you smile."
Rogue's entire face turned bright red as she suddenly found her hands very interesting. "Shut up Swamp Rat." She said, though in truth, she almost wished he would continue…
"Y'don' mean dat chere." He said as he placed on hand on hers.
She looked at him and rolled her eyes, "Ya really think yer God's gift to women don't ya?"
He grinned at her in a way that would have knocked any other woman on her ass, "Non, I am God's gift t'women. He told me so Himself."
Rogue covered her mouth with her free hand and laughed, trying to keep as quiet as possible. She didn't do a very good job and was shot a warning look from Storm. Then did a double take. What had happened to Storm!? Her eyes went wide as she took in the Wind Rider's new appearance. Gone was the flowing white hair that Rogue had found so beautiful, it was now replaced with a Mohawk that stood at least seven inches off her clean shorn head. The robes that had always given her the appearance of floating were replaced with incredibly tight black leather. Rogue blinked a few times before shaking her head and turning to Gambit.
"What happened to her?"
Gambit's own eyes went wide as he looked her over, "She went off de deep end?" he suggested, remembering that it was impolite to stare and turning his eyes back to the younger girl at his side.
Rogue shook her head, "Mah has she…" she turned her head and blinked, "Hey… isn't that the Jean woman everyone so uptight 'bout mentioning?" she said as she pointed to the young red head seated next to Scott Summers. "Ah thought she died?"
Gambit followed her gaze, "I thought so too…" he watched as she took Lockheed from Kitty with a look of shock. He had to chuckle a little, that dragon would give anyone a start. But how was she here? She'd died! He made a mental note to ask the others later.
"She's pretty." Rogue said, taking in the woman's long red hair and clear blue eyes.
Gambit nodded, "Oui, but not as pretty as you chere."
Rogue shook her head, "Stop jokin' around, there ain't no way Ah'm prettier then her! She looks like a model!" she said, hoping that Gambit would shake his head and tell her that the red head was nothing compared to Rogue's own beauty. But apparently they were not on the same page, for Gambit was looking at her, as though imagining what she looked like with out her clothes.
"Gambit, if that is Jean," Rogue said, "she's one o' the strongest telepaths on the planet. Ah don't think she'd much like knowin' that yer picturin' her without her pretty dress on."
Gambit leaned back and smirked, "Non, probably not. But it'd be fun t' see the look on her face when she found out."
Rogue was about to say something when finally Mariko walked into the room, her head down, hands crossed in front of her. Rogue had to gasp, the woman looked so beautiful all dressed up in her wedding kimono of pure white silk. She sighed and raised her free hand to her chest, this was the first wedding she'd ever been to and was now starting to see the appeal.
Gambit heard her sigh and squeezed the hand he still held. He blinked when saw Mariko turn and address the gathered guests. She said something in Japanese and Remy swore he could see the colour drain from Logan's face. He asked her something and she responded in a cold, cold voice. She then turned and walked out of the hall, leaving Logan alone at the alter.
Rogue looked at her friend, her green eyes filled with concern, then turned to Gambit, "What happened?" she asked.
He frowned a little, "I think petite, dat dis is what dey call being left at the alter."
"Oh mah…" her voice was sad, and her eyes wide, she tightened her grip on Gambit's hand, subconsciously keeping her super strength in check. "That's so horrible… poor Wolvie…"
Gambit blinked at the nick name, "Chere, has he heard you call him dat?" at her nod he went on, "He didn' kill you?" she shook her head and he wistled, "Mon Dieu, I think he really is your friend chere…" Rogue turned to him, her eyes a little happier then they had been at the beginning of the wedding that didn't happen. Gambit turned his attention to Logan and frowned. For some reason he didn't find Rogue's happiness comforting in the least….
~*~
They arrived at the mansion a few days latter minus one Canadian, Gambit was pleased to note. Rogue had been ushered up to her new room, Jean Gray's old one, and told not to leave her bed. The room had no real sense of home, it felt like a hotel room to Rogue, unfriendly and uncomfortable. No one but Nightcrawler had been in to see her in almost two days and she was ready to start tearing her hair out.
'Ah shoulda expected this…' she thought to herself as she turned her head to look out the window, 'They've got no reason t'make me feel welcome, aftah all Ah only save Mariko and Wolvie. Not them. None of them were even there t'see it… shame…' that could have been the key to gaining their trust, but despite the fact that she'd explained how she'd been injured so badly, she didn't think any of them really believed her. Tears of frustration began to form in her eyes. And she found herself longing for Raven and Irene, at least those two accepted her and treated her like a human being. Thankful there was no one in the room she began to cry.
~*~
That evening a lone shadow scaled the walls that surrounded the mansion and rolled his eyes at the lax security. One day he'd actually sit down with Cyke and explain to the man that, though there were few security systems he couldn't get around, the one that protected the X-Men was one of the worst. Any one who could scale the wall would easily be able to get into the main building through an open window. Hell the front door was still locked using a key! He'd rolled his eyes at that one too. Did these people have no idea what easy target they were?
With a flick of his wrist the shadow extended his bo staff and vaulted up to the open window on the second story. Without a sound he landed on the window ledge and slipped inside, knowing that the occupant would probably be sleeping.
"Who's there?" The female voice was heavy with sleep, he momentarily regretted waking her, but decided this would be more fun in the end.
The shadow smirked and dropped to the floor, not giving the occupant a chance to scan her room. He solider crawled to the edge of her bed and slowly brought one hand up under the covers, reaching for her feet. She didn't notice the movement, too busy trying to scan her room for any unwanted guests. She must have decided she'd been dreaming because she was starting to settle back down against her pillows when suddenly the shadow struck.
There was a shriek as he began to tickle her feet, knowing from the talk they'd had on the flight back from Japan that it was her one weakness. He was merciless as he attacked her feet, being careful to dodge whenever she kicked, with her strength she could really do him some damage.
She was laughing, despite herself, she hated being tickled! She reached over for the bed side lamp and flicked it on, having trouble moving from laughing so hard. The tickling stopped and she scanned the now illuminated room, blinking from the sudden onslaught of light.
"Where are ya Gambit?" she demanded, trying to sound angry, but failing miserably. "Ah know you're in here!" she looked around the room, then felt something poke her from underneath! She laughed despite herself and rolled onto her stomach, peering over the edge of her bed. "Come out like a good Swamp Rat and maybe Ah won't kill ya!"
Before she could say another word a hand reached out and pulled her off the bed. She suddenly found herself under the bed, laying beside a smirking Cajun. "Hidin' under the bed now Gambit? Thought you were older then that…"
He shrugged and grinned at her, "Neh, it's fun." He replied simply, "Now, shh! We 'bout to have company." He said as he pointed to the door which was beginning to open.
Kitty Pryde and Peter Rasputain came in, both looking worried. "Rogue?" Kitty called, looking around the room. "Rogue where are you! We heard you scream!" her voice was beginning to rise in fear and alarm.
Rogue felt guilty for making her new team mates worry, and was about to show herself when Gambit held her back, placing his left arm over her shoulders. She rolled her eyes and let herself enjoy the feel of being in his arms. She could feel the heat coming off of him through her thin pajamas and it made her feel really safe for the first time in what seemed like forever.
Gambit had to admit he was surprised she hadn't pulled away from him as soon as he touched her. Maybe she was more comfortable around him then she had been. He smiled slightly and pulled her a little closer to him, trying not to make the movement seem too obvious.
"Rogue!" Kitty sounded pretty upset now, "Peter, where is she?" she asked, her feet turned to point in the direction of the Russian's. Gambit rolled his eyes as the two got closer and closer… didn't they realize they were in Rogue's room? He snorted softly, so as to not draw attention to the pair under the bed and began using his thumb to trace small circles on her shoulder, loving the feel of her in his arms. Gambit noticed her right hand laying in front of him, with a quick glance at her face, he brought his right hand around and discreetly placed it on top of hers.
Rogue blinked at the contact and turned her gaze to Gambit, she could just make out the outline of his features in the poor light. His red on black eyes glowed faintly, he still hadn't explained to her what made them glow, but she found the effect hypnotic. She tore her gaze from his face in order to look at their hands, with a small smile she turned her hand over and interlaced her fingers with his.
Gambit returned her smile as he felt his heart skip a beat. What was this girl doing to him? He trailed his gaze over her face, eyes glowing, a result of heightened emotions. How could this girl, and she was very little more then a child, make him feel like nothing else? He watched in awe as she turned her green eyed gaze to met his, the light from his eyes reflecting in her own. He couldn't break her soft stare and felt himself moving his face closer to hers, in spite of the dangers, he wanted to kiss her as he'd wanted nothing else in his entire life. It felt as though he would simply die should he not fulfill his desire.
Rogue too felt the pull and was powerless to stop it. She was moving closer to him, their noses were less then an inch apart when suddenly.
"There you are! I have a good mind to tell Storm on you for playing stupid games in the middle of the night! And you Gambit! You should know better! You're lucky Logan or Scott's not here! They'd beat the hell out of you!" Came the scolding voice of the fifteen year old Katherine Pryde, who was now on her knees glaring at the pair with a look of reproach.
The young couple quickly moved away from each other and Rogue lowered her head, "Ah'm sorry." She said, trying to hide the blush that had found its way across her face.
Gambit said nothing in way of an apology, "What 'sactly were you and Peter doin' all dat time Kity?" he asked, arching an eye brow at the now blushing Kitty, "I don' t'ink Logan would approve…seems it's my duty t'tell him…"
Kitty shot Peter a pleading look to which he shrugged, not really knowing what to do. She sighed and turned back to Gambit, "Alright, I'll make you a deal. You don't say anything about Peter and I, and I won't tell a soul that I caught you in Rogue's room at 1 a.m." she, somewhat awkwardly, extended a hand to Remy, "Deal?"
He grinned and her and took her hand, "Deal Petite."
She sighed in relief and quickly got to her feet, "Come on Peter." She said as they disappeared down the hall.
Rogue sighed in relief and dragged herself out from under the bed, whatever spell the pair had been under, now broken. "Thank god…" she said as she stood up and adjusted her pajamas. "Ah thought fer sure she'd tell…" she admitted, sounding very much like a child who'd been caught red handed.
Gambit stared at her feet for a moment, wondering what the hell had come over him before crawling out from under the bed. "Naw, Kitty's not too bad, 'slong as you know how to blackmail." He said shooting her a devil-may-care grin.
Rogue smiled and rolled her eyes, "Amen t'that. Now git outta here Swamp Rat!" she pushed her loose hair out of her face, after he'd told her how good it looked, she'd taken to wearing it down all the time. "And make sure ya come back an' visit, Kurt says tomorrow's mah last day in bed and Ah've been bored outta mah mind!"
Gambit grinned and bowed deeply to her, "Oui madame." He straightened up and shook his long bangs out of his eyes, "Oh and chere?"
"Yeah?" she asked, climbing back into her bed, suddenly feeling tired.
"Call me Remy." With that he shot her a wink and disappeared out her door, closing it soundlessly behind him.
Rogue stared at her door for a moment and shook her head, "'Night… Remy." With that she turned off the lamp and pulled the covers up around her shoulders, drifting off to sleep with dreams full of glowing red eyes…
~*~
Aw! Good thing Kitty interrupted them! I don't wanna put Remy in a coma anymore then I have to. Lol. Review and lemme know what you think!
See ya on the flip side,
TheWalrusWasPaul