Good Times and Hope

Chapter Four

By: Lily Handle

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Author's Note: I've decided that my little idea of making each part I write a chapter was a silly idea. Most of the chapters wouldn't even be a page long, so I've started sticking two parts together in each chapter. Please, enjoy the longer chapters!

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"Ahhh, you know when you're right, you're right, Ororo," Hope said. She was lying on the top most bench of the sauna, one towel wrapped around her middle, another wrapped around her hair. Ororo was on the lower bench, lying on her chest on top of her towel. Hope wasn't that bothered by the fact that Ororo was obviously, and totally at ease with being naked. Hope however was going to keep her towel on, modest as she was. Still, it was nice to have a woman close to her own age to talk to.

"I do have my moments," Ororo sighed, waving a hand towards the stack of hot rocks. A rain cloud appeared above the rocks and more steam burst into the room. The little display was not only convenient, but it reminded Hope of something she had bene meaning to mention to her companion.

"I saw the rose bushes this morning, they're looking incredible," Hope smiled at Ororo when she turned to look at her, "You're taking very good care of them."

"Thank you," She smiled back, her eyes danced merrily, "They are doing quite well this season, but last I checked your room over looks the azaleas, not the roses. Logan's, however, does." Hope couldn't control the blush, or the little smile that tipped up the corners of her lips,

"Ah, yes well," Hope managed, "That's quite observant of you."

Ororo laughed, "Well, I've had my suspicions, but until he called Charles to say he found you and that you both wouldn't be back for another two week I wasn't sure."

"Oh," Hope resisted the urge to burry her face in her hands, "I hope no one's bothered by our...relationship."

"Of course not," Ororo smiled, "I'd have to say, you've improved Logan's mood considerably. He doesn't nearly scowl as much as he use to."

Hope laughed, "It's such a hardship, but I just keep reminding myself it's for the good of the Institute."

"Oh yes, such a trial, I'm sure," Ororo reached out and gripped her hand, "However do you put up with all those muscles?"

"Oh, the muscle are the least of my problems," Hope said solemnly, "It's the stamina that gives me the most trouble."

"You poor dear." And both women dissolved into peels of laughter.

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Rogue couldn't believe she was at prom. These dances were really stupid. Just an excuse for the popular kids to get together and show off how popular they were, and how rich. She should have stayed at the Institute. Why did she come anyway? Right, Kitty, and Doc Hope had managed to talk her into it somehow. They were both so nice to her, all the time, well she and Kitty did fight on occasion, but she kinda wanted to please them. She felt stupid because of it now. She was the only one sitting at the table, right at the edge of the dance floor. She could see everyone, and everyone could see her, wasting her time. Jean and Scott were dancing, steadily getting over the embarrassment that was keeping almost fifteen feet of space between them. Kitty was with a group of her friends from school at another table, laughing at some joke or another. Rogue got up from the table, she was done with this. She'd get back to the Institute if she had to walk. Dances were stupid. She shouldn't be dancing in large crowds anyway. She could hurt someone. She glared over her shoulder at Jean and Scott and gave a snort of disgust at her actions.

When Rogue stepped outside into the night, she looked around, wondering where the limos were waiting for when the night ended. "Now, cherie, where da ya think you're goin'?" Rogue whipped around and glared at the shadows where a pair of glowing red eyes watched her.

"What da ya want?" She snapped, pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders. Gambit stepped out of the shadows and she gasp. He wasn't in a tux, but a suit with a blood red shirt, the top two buttons undone. His hair was long and tied back in a pony tail. He looked so different, so…hot, Rogue felt her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth. Why did he have to keep coming back into her life? She didn't need any temptation. And he was temptation, especially looking like this.

"Well, Gambit was hopin' for a dance, but if a certain belle isn't at de ball," He shrugged but he was grinning, "Sneakin' out, cherie?"

"It's none of your business what Ah'm doin'," Rogue shot back, "Why don'tcha leave me alone?"

"Now, is dat anyway ta treat you're white knight?"

"You ain't my white knight, you ain't my anythin', now leave me alone."

He reached a hand out and grabbed one of the twisted curls of her hair and twined it around his finger, "Why don't you leave with me instead?" She wanted to yell yes, but scowled at Gambit instead.

"Yeah, like Ah can trust ya," She snorted and took a step back so his curl slipped off his finger.

"Oh, come on, cherie, don'tcha wanna get away from all dis?"

"Your idea of gettin' away is ta kidnap me," She reminded him, "Why don'tcha try that again?"

He chuckled, "Gambit would rather take ya for a ride." He pulled a set of keys out from his pocket and pointed them behind him. Unable to resist just looking Rogue saw a dark red Jaguar coupe.

"Ya steal it?" She asked, though she really wanted to see if that was the modle with leather interior, like she thought it was.

He grinned at her again, "Bother ya if it was?"

"Ah ain't goin' with ya, so it don't matter."

"Sure, cherie, whatever ya say."

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Author's Note: I'm trying to make Rogue and Remy sound more like they do in the comics. I, being from the South myself, love a good Southern accent, and they have some of the best. So, when you read then, think in a Southern accent and you'll be fine!