G'Day!

I know, it's been a while, but, well I tried. This chapter gave me large amounts of writers block, and I ended up rewriting the ending like ten times…. Sigh.

Before I do the shout outs, I need to say something….

*picks up a mega phone*  "From now on, screw the comic timeline! Everything from this point on is A/U! Everyone got that? Thank you!"

Sorry, been meaning to get that off my chest for a while though. I'm done now though.

Shout out time!

JexyBaby: I would never let Remy suffer…. Well, not anymore then I need him to….

Ishy: Remy? Give up? On Rogue?! Why would you think that?! This story's about fluff!

GlitterGal: I'll be nicer to Remy… eventually! '^_^'

Irony1: More Romyness? Where?!

Remys gal: Thanks! Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! '^_^'

DevilGoth: Okay, you scare me. Seriously… don't kill me! That's not cool! If you kill me, who'll finish the story?

Panther Nesmith: if you ever find a pen like that, mail me one! And of course Rogue should try to explain what's going on…. Shouldn't she?

Caliente: Joseph? Gah! I'm still working on getting BellaDonna into the picture…. Sigh…

Boomkat: Be afraid, in either the next chapter, or the one after that, the rating will be an 'R'…

Smookin': Yeah, I'm a BAD updater…. But I try!

Everyone else who reviewed: You guys rule all! Drinks on me! But I.D first please!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except everything…

Warning, we're still sittin' at PG-13 here folks…. But not for much longer…. Mauwhahaha!

I Never Knew

Chapter Sever: The Trial of Gambit

TheWalrusWasPaul

            The next morning as they prepared to enter into the unknown that was Mojoworld, something unpleasant seemed to be hanging over Gambit. His dark eyes held none of the fire that Rogue was accustomed to seeing, and that disturbed her. She wanted to speak to him, find out what was bothering him so much, but there was no time. Longshot and Dazzler were eager to free their people and the X-Men were more then ready to help. She watched him though, tried to see if his behavior would give her any indication as to what was going on. She thought of the flowers she'd found on her balcony last night and something inside of her seemed to click. Why else would he have dropped the flowers? Her face turned bright red as she thought about, had he been there the whole time? Had he heard her call out Longshot's name?

            "Rogue, is something wrong?"

            She shook herself out of her thoughts and turned to look into the concerned face of Longshot. She smiled at him, "No, nothin', why?" her smile was false, all she wanted to do was sit down and think this out. If he had seen her, and been upset by her actions, did that mean he…

            "You're so quiet this morning…" he said, laying a hand on her shoulder, "Something must be bothering you."

            Rogue raised a gloved hand to her face and sighed, "It's nothin' Longshot, jus' somethin' Ah need to work out."

            He looked unconvinced, but said nothing as Alison walked up to the pair, "We're ready to go." She looked as though she wanted to be angry with Rogue, but couldn't do it. Alison gave the southerner a half smile and returned to stand with the rest of the group.

            Longshot gave Rogue a warm smile, "Let's go!"

            She tried to return his excitement, but anyone who knew her could see her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. That though saddened her, the only one who knew her that well was Gambit and his gaze was focused intently on the ground at his feet.

            They were gathered just beyond the front steps of the mansion, waiting to leap head first into an unknown situation. Dazzler and Longshot were explaining how their method of travel worked, something to do with portals and vortexes. At the moment Rogue couldn't have cared less, she needed to think!   

            "Everyone stand with someone," Longshot was saying, "When we enter Mojoworld, they may have set up a security net that will separate us. It won't work as well if we're all partnered up, that way we'll at least stay in groups of two." He offered his hand to Dazzler who smiled at him as she gave him her hand.

            Storm who was next to Logan took his hand, shooting him a private smile, which he returned. Rogue watched the pair and wondered if something was going on between the two. She didn't bothered to dwell on it, as Gambit was coming towards her, his face looking lifeless.

            "Mornin' Cajun." She said with a smile, as she moved to his side, letting her hand drop to her side, hoping he would take it.

            He didn't, "Rogue."

            She frowned and felt hurt, "Is somethin' wrong?" she asked, keeping her voice low so the others wouldn't over hear.

            He looked at her, pain in his eyes, "Non, why would anythin' be wrong?"

            "Remy, Ah…" she was cut off as Longshot opened the portal and the pairs began to enter. Pale light poured over them as the portal swirled and twisted before them. "Ah'm sorry…"

            He said nothing to her as they began to step towards the portal. She sighed and slipped her hand into his, interlacing their fingers. "Ah know you were there last night."

            He looked at her, eyes wide, as though about to deny her accusation, but she cut him off.

            "Ah…. Ah guess there's no excuse, but you need to know Remy," she took a deep breath and looked at the ground, this was so hard. "Ah've been havin' dreams, real, well personal ones." Her face flushed, Logan and Storm were stepping through the portal, they were next, and she had to get this out quickly, "But Ah could never see his face… When Longshot came in, Ah thought it mighta been him, but it wasn't Remy." She looked up at him, "It wasn't him."

            He looked at her, the pain in his eyes not quite as strong as it had been. It was replaced with curiosity, "Who den Rogue?" He tried to quell the hope rising up inside of him once more, but couldn't. He knew he was falling for her, falling hard. And the thought that she might not return his affections hurt him more then he'd ever want to admit.

            "Remy… it was…"

            Whatever she had been about to say was cut off as they stepped through the portal and everything turned black.

~*~

            Mojo watched in amusement as the X-Men arrived two by two, "Like lambs to the slaughter." He mused aloud as he took a long drink of his wine. "They were fools to believe that they would be able to enter my world without me knowing."

            His right hand man, Major Domo smiled thinly, "What do you plan to do with them now, O great one?"

            Mojo made a small noise, an indication that he was thinking before a slow, rather evil looking smile graced his face. "Major Domo, you remember that file on my dresser labeled 'top secrete'?" he asked, never taking his eyes away from the view screens that currently displayed the X-Men.

            "The one in the magazine rack in the bathroom?" Domo asked, not really wanting to venture into that room.

            Mojo nodded, "Bring it to me."

            Domo sighed weakly and nodded. There were times when he really hated his job…

~*~

            Something felt wrong.

            That was the first thing that came to her mind, the second was concern for Gambit. They'd gone through the portal, then there had been a flash of horrible pain as they lost consciousness. She opened her eyes and scanned her surroundings looking for any trace of Gambit. She was in a wasteland of snow and ice, in all directions all she could see was white.

            "Remy!" she cried, but couldn't see him.

            Wait, there in the distance, a dark shape, very faint. She rose up out of the snow, the cold beginning to seep into her as she began to fly towards the figure. With as much speed as she could muster she flew, hoping against hope that it was Gambit.

            "Mah lord…" she gasped as she saw that it wasn't Remy, rather a little boy dressed in her dear friend's usual uniform. Rogue dropped down towards the boy, he was unconscious, laying face down in the snow. She quickly rolled him onto his back, looking him over for injuries. "Are you alright?" she asked, concerned. He couldn't have been more then five, if that. His long brown hair fell onto his face, it was covered with ice and snow.

            The boy let out a low moan and blinked, his eyes opening slowly. Rogue gasped, his eyes! They were exactly like Remy's! Red on black! "Dat you chere?" the boy asked as he raised on hand to his head. "You look funny…"

            She blinked, "Remy? But it can't be! Yer a kid!"  she shook her head, and furrowed her brow in confusion as her hair struck her higher then it normally did. She raised one hand to her head and her eyes went wide. Pig tails?

            "You should talk, like the new hair do." He grumbled as he pulled himself up into a sitting position. "What's goin' on?"

            "Ah don't know… why are you a kid?!"

            He shrugged as he stood up, "Dunno Rogue, but you ain't much better." He said as he looked at her, she was the same height as he was. "Mabbe it has somethin' t'do with Mojo?" he suggested as he trust his hands into his pockets. He really hated the cold.

            Rogue frowned, "Is he that powerful?"

            Gambit shook his head, "I don't know chere , but I'm freezin', we gotta find some shelter 'fore you're one Cajun short." His eyes were really starting to hurt thanks to the bright light that was being reflected off the snow. He muttered a curse under his breath and squinted his eyes, wishing for his sunglasses.

            Rogue looked at him, concern written all over her now youthful face, "Don't die on me…"

            He smirked at her half threat half desire, "Den we better find some shelter neh?"

            They scanned the endless white horizon, trying to catch sigh of any break in the snow. Rogue was about to give up hope when she saw a dim light in the distance, "There Remy! Look!" she pointed towards it excitedly.

            He blinked a few times before nodded, "I see it…"

            Rogue turned to face him, a rather evil looking grin on her face, "Good, you'd better hurry up and get over there."

            Gambit stepped back from the child figure of his best friend, something was definitely up. "Rogue? Wha's goin' on?" he asked as he reached into his pocket, letting his chubby fingers run over the smooth plastic of a playing card.

            Rogue's eyes closed and she went limp, before he could react there was a flash of light and another person appeared. A tale slender man, with long thin purple hair. He was dressed in the most ridiculously bright orange suit that would have made Remy laugh, had he been able to feel his nose for a hearty snort that is.

            "Who are ya, an' what'd ya do t'Rogue?" The miniature Gambit asked, assuming a defensive stance.

            The odd man laughed, and turned his long nose up in the air, "My name you silly little rating-booster is Major Domo!" Gambit blinked as lightning stuck in the background and thunder boomed. Weren't they in the Artic? "And as for Rogue," he gestured with one hand and the girl's body rose up in the air, "She is needed else where." There was a flash and her body disappeared, making anger rise up in Gambit.

            "Bring her back!" he shouted, drawing a handful of glowing playing cards.

            Major Domo laughed an irritating laugh and shook his head, "If you want to find out what's become of her, you'd better make it to that light!" he said as he pointed to the same light Rogue had seen only moments before.

            "What's at de light?" Gambit asked, not willing to trust this odd man so easily.

            Major Domo smiled evilly at Remy, and he could swear he heard cheesy bad guy music begin to play, "Your trial!" More lightning crashed in the distance making Remy arch an eye brow.

            Before Gambit could say anything else Major Domo vanished in a flash of smoke and light, leaving the de-aged X-Man alone. He took a deep breath and decided that unless he wanted to freeze to death, he'd have to try for that light up ahead. 'Ain't got nothin' t'lose…'

            "And so our hero journeys towards the mysterious light, prepared to venture into the unknown to save the love of his life."

            Gambit frowned and looked around, "Who said dat?"

            "Yes, what a noble heart our young Cajun has! Risking almost certain death to save his lady fair!"

            "What 'certain death'? And since when is Rogue a lady?" Gambit asked the voice, a little irritated that he could find no source.

            "Ah yes, love at its truest ladies and gentlemen! And it's all here on Mojo station 93! Stay tuned as Remy LeBeau reaches the light, only to find a trial awaiting him!"

            "What trial?! I don' know if I wanna go dat way anymore…." Gambit muttered as the odd voice fell silent and he was once again alone. He shrugged and began the long hike to the light and hopefully Rogue.

~*~

            The light turned out to be the entrance to a cave, above the cave the words 'Trial of Gambit' were blazing in neon lights. He frowned, why was Mojo picking on him? He sighed and moved his much smaller then normal body into the cave, not really wanting to know what kind of trial awaited him.

            At the entrance to the cave stood Longshot and Wolverine, both were de aged as he and Rogue had been. He almost had to laugh when he caught sight of Wolverine, the normally scary Canadian man was now a boy, even shorter then Gambit. His head was also far too big for his body, giving Logan an all together comical effect. Longshot on the other hand was all too cute for Gambit's taste, with his golden blond hair and bright blue eyes. Gambit hated to admit it, but the blond was probably better looking then he was, something that Gambit was not too happy about.

            He walked up to the two X-Men and paused before entering the cave, "Bonjour mes braves."

            The two boys looked at Gambit, their eyes blank, "They're waitin' for ya." Wolverine said as he pointed towards the cave.

            "You had better hurry, they don't like to wait." Longshot added, his voice mechanical.

            Remy ached an eye brow, "Who be waitin'?"

            "You'll see Gumbo, now git before they lose patience." Wolverine said, he sounded odd speaking the way he normally did, except for the emotion. The two sounded like robots, the thought bothered Gambit for some reason.

            He shrugged and entered the cave, "What don't kill me…" he muttered, his head down, not really wanting to see what was awaiting him.

~*~

            The cave was lit by a number of strategically placed candles that littered the room. In the very center of the cave was a man, one Remy recognized as Major Domo. His clothing had changed, but still didn't look much better then the orange suit. He now wore an orange toga, which revealed far too much of the man, as far as the younger Gambit was concerned. He shuddered as he approached Domo, wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible.

            "Now what?" he asked, his young voice sounding like that of a boy who was often in trouble. Which was exactly what Remy had been like when he'd actually been five. In trouble with the law, in trouble with the other boys, he smirked slightly, good times.

            Major Domo smiled and extended his arms in a rather dramatic gesture, "Welcome young Remy LeBeau, to your trial." The flames of the candles seemed to blaze brighter for a moment, before returning to their original size.

            Gambit rolled his eyes, "You done with de cheesy effects yet?"     

            "You done with the cheesy accent yet?"

            "Point."

            "Let's move on." Major Domo straightened up and cleared his throat, "No doubt you are wondering why the Gods chose you for this great trial!"

            Gambit shook his head, "Not really… jus' wanna know what you did t'Rogue and de others."

            Major Domo rolled his eyes, "You know, a little dramatic flare wouldn't hurt you."

            Gambit shrugged, "can't all be actors. Now what's all dis about?" he asked, reaching into his coat for a card.

            "The Gods have chosen you for a very special mission!" thunder boomed in the distance and Gambit rolled his eyes as Domo went on, "Three of their number have descended to Earth and they have chosen you to judge them!"

            Gambit looked skeptical, "I do what now?"

            "Judge them my lad! It is your most sacred duty to choose the most beautiful among them and present them with this!" in Domo's hands appeared a bright red rose, which he gave over to Gambit.

            Gambit took the rose and arched an eye brow, "Dat's it? Dat's my trial?" he shook his head, "And isn't it supposed to be an apple?"

            Domo shushed him, "Do not think of this trial lightly my dear lad!" He clapped his hands and three of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen appeared before him. He felt his jaw drop as he took in their appearances. At that moment, Remy was almost happy he wasn't in his adult form. "Your decision here today will forever change your life in your own world!" There was a flash of light and Domo was gone. "You have twenty minutes, or we will choose for you!"

            Gambit turned to the first woman. Her long blond hair flowed around her like silk, her blue eyes were brighter then any Gambit had ever seen. She wore a stolla of pure black and looked down on him, without interest. "Little man, give me the flower and I shall give you a woman of beauty!" she declared, Gambit had to admit he was tempted. She certainly was beautiful.

            The next woman stepped up, her long hair hidden behind a veil of dark red silk, that matched her dress. Her pale eyes looked at him with a calm, polite show of interest. "Give me the flower young one, and you shall be rewarded with a woman of unfailing loyalty and devotion." The woman looked down at him, her hand out stretched, prepared to accept the flower. Gambit looked at her, before turning to the third woman.

            Her long red hair fell in waves around her, a white dress covered her. "Give me the flower and you shall have a woman who is your equal in every way." Was all she said as she turned her eyes to his.

            Gambit looked at the women, why did he get stuck making this decision! He frowned and thought about what the women said. Beauty, loyalty, or his equal? He looked from one woman to the others. This was stupid.

            "Do not be hasty in your decision young one." The woman who had offered him loyalty said, "Your decision will forever change your relationships in your own world."

            The one who had offered beauty rolled her eyes, "Hurry up. We have other things to do today!"

            Gambit shook his head, okay, so he didn't want that one. But there were still two women looking at him, hands extended and his time was running out. He sighed, why him?

~*~

To be continued! Dun dun dun!!!

So just who will Gambit pick?! I could tell you, but I won't, it'd ruin the surprise! I think I'm about to break a hundred reviews for this fic! *happy dance!*  You guys rule all! Fear not, I'm hoping for the conclusion of Mojo world to be in the next chapter! Then we move on to bigger and better things, such as Gambit's past and BellaDonna…. *gasp!*

See you all on the flip side,

TheWalrusWasPaul

REVIEW! (please?)