"So," Scott said, as their only other song for the evening played for the fifth and final time.
"So," Rogue echoed, uncertain of what exactly to say. There was an awkward between them once again. Unlike before, Scott wasn't befuddled; he just seemed to be at a loss for words. Both he and Rogue were nodding and smiling to each other to make up for what was not being said. Despite the levity that they had built up, it seems to have come to an impasse. While the record was continually playing static, both them were still holding each other, swaying without music. They soon realized that the song is no longer finished and quickly released their embrace.
"Sorry," Scott said, a little frantically.
"No, no, mah bad," Rogue replied, acting a little frantic herself.
"It just that, y'know, the music stopped and…"
"Yeah, yeah…"
"So that's why I let go like that…"
"No, nothin' to worry about…"
"Just so you know…"
"Sure, yep."
They both stared at each other for a brief moment as if they were discovering the other for the first time. Ages seemed to pass with heartbeats as there was total confusion between them. As Scott remained as confused as ever, Rogue awakened to a revelation. She was beginning to see how her actions had become the center of all of this confusion. She was beginning to see how Scott was in brought internally, into an unnecessary conflict. Rogue felt it was necessary once and for all to clear things up and do right by everyone she had hurt.
"Oh gawd, what have ah done!" Rogue whispered under her breath.
"Huh?" Scott exclaimed.
"Oh Scott, ah'm so sorry for all of this."
"Uh, for what exactly?"
"For this, for everythin' that's happened up to now."
"But we've already been through this Rogue…"
"Hush Scott," Rogue ordered interrupting Scott. "Let me finish."
Scott, taken aback, waited in anticipation.
"Ah didn't realize it until now, but ah've gone and done all of these things, thinkin' it was gonna help me get over you. But all ah've managed to do is hurt both of mah friends."
"Really? Who else?" Scott asked, unsure of what Rogue was talking about.
"Jean, you dummy!" Rogue growled.
"Jean's your friend!"
"Alright, it's not like we're kindred spirits or anythin', ah'll give ya that. But we're teammates an' she's bailed me out of too many jams ah'd care to remember. An' ah was less than appreciative in many cases. Ah consider anyone who'd put themselves on the line for me a friend. Ah don't know how else to put. But now ah've taken all that an' betrayed all that by stealin' her boyfriend."
"You didn't steal me from Jean," Scott replied. "You said this was a one time thing and I'm still taking your word for that. I would never hurt Jean, especially by cheating on her, no matter what. You've said it yourself, you would never put me in that position."
"That's just it Scott, ah have put you in that position. You are not mah boyfriend. No matter how ah imagine it to be, or want it be, that ain't gonna change. But ah have you play actin' for my benefit just so ah can fill out some stupid fantasy. Jean is your girl. In a way she's always been. Maybe that's why ah was so jealous of her. Maybe cause ah wanted it for myself so badly. But not at the expense of your relationship. That ain't right or fair. Especially when ah know that you got a good thing goin'. Ah should never have gone an' done all this."
"You needed to tell me how you felt," Scott replied sympathetically.
"An' ah could've just said that an' be done with it if ah wasn't such a coward. No, ah had to take it too far an' make it somethin' that it didn't need to be."
"So you regret tonight?"
"Well, despite everythin' ah had a lot of fun. But we could've had the same kinda fun as friends. An' no ones relationship has to be strained. Ah can't defend what ah've done and you shouldn't either."
"You were being human. You wanted something like what Jean and I have. I've always wanted something like that for myself and I've found myself getting jealous when I saw other people having these great relationships and asking myself, 'Why not me?'. I agree with you, things didn't have to taken this far, but I do understand where you're coming from. Sometimes our emotions make us do some crazy things."
"Y'know, yer bein' way too understandin' fer me, and ah'm gettin' really annoyed by it."
"What can I say, I'm cursed," Scott joked.
"You an' me both," Rogue replied in turn.
"What, are you cursed with understanding too?"
"Come on Scott! You know what ah'm talkin' about." Rogue answered irritably, referring to her potentially lethal touch.
"Oh. But those are your powers. You just learn to cope with them. Within every problem, there is a solution. And there is always a way around those kind of things."
"Around my powers? Yeah, right!"
"I'm serious. Before I got my glasses, it's not an understatement when I say I had a very hard time. But after that, I was able to cope. It was only a matter of finding out what was needed to solve the problem. You can do the same."
"Ah don't mean to make light of your experiences Scott, but ah'd rather have rays shootin' out of my eyes then never gettin' the change to ever touch anyone."
"And all I'm saying is that all you need to do is find your way around it. You just need to find out how."
"Geez, Scott. Ah can't even peck someone on the cheek without killin' 'em. How am ah supposed to deal with that?"
"Well, I…."
Scott paused for a moment. He really didn't have any immediate ideas. But Scott knew that if he could show Rogue that there was a possibility of coping with her mutant powers, he could provide a feeling of normalcy that she had always dismissed for herself. As Scott thought more about it, he found himself with an idea that could work even it was inspired by the most unlikely of sources.
"I have an idea," Scott announced suddenly.
"You do?" Rogue asked in surprise. "Ah don't believe it!"
Scott clasped Rogue's shoulder.
"Look, do you trust me?"
"Uh, yeah Scott. O'course ah do."
"Alright then. Wait right there, I'll be back."
"Right back?" Rogue replied in surprise. "Where you goin'?"
"It's a surprise. I'll be a few minutes."
"Scott!" Rogue yelled. "Scott!"
"Trust me!" Scott yelled back, waving enthusiastically as he made his way out the door of the club.
Rogue just stood there befuddled.
"What in the world is up to?" Rogue thought, unable to come up with a clear consensus what was exactly going on. "He couldn't possibly be ditching me? Nah, he knows ah'd kill 'em. Ah still don't know why ah have to wait here. He could've just taken me with him. Ah'd wear a blindfold. Ah'd kind of like that…wait. Easy Rogue, stay focused. Now…where can he possibly be going now?"
Rogue didn't have any idea.
"Crud, he ditched me."
As Rogue continued to misinterpret the situation, Jean and Gambit were only a block or two away from the abandoned night club. While they were initially on the trail of Scott and Rogue, Jean found the trail had grown cold, leaving both of them more frustrated than ever.
"Any luck pickin' up a scent, chere?" Gambit asked, sighing.
"No, the music stopped," Jean grumbled in frustration. "I guess the 'party' is over."
"Or mebbee is just beginnin'," Gambit mused.
Jean gave him a nasty glare which caused Gambit to quickly backtrack.
"Or not."
"No Gambit, I'm sorry," Jean said, trying not to be perturbed. "I'm just having a hard time concentrating because I'm just so angry."
"So dey dancin' a little bit in some club. What is dat? Gambit dace with many madmoiselles, it don't mean nothin' chere. Can't say de same for de madmoiselles. "
"I'm sure," Jean replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes at Gambit's bragging.
"Is fun an' all but it ain't a serious thing, chere. If your monsieur is what you say he is, he ain't doin' nothin' wrong. What you say?"
"It's just that," Jean retorted, full of anxiety. "He was enjoying it. And I was sensing feelings that seem to go beyond…fun."
"Gambit still don't see what's so bad."
"He was attracted to her!" Jean uttered through clenched teeth.
Gambit suddenly guffawed at Jean's answer. Jean became visibly upset by this. Gambit repressed his laughter and tried to calm Jean down.
"Sorry, chere but…is dat all?"
"What do you mean 'is dat all?'" Jean exclaimed, mocking Gambit's accent. "You have the nerve to ask me that….you stupid…man…arghh!"
Jean became incoherent with anger, in which Gambit inadvisably attempted to explain himself once again.
"Listen, chere. Rogue is a beautiful angel of a woman, chere. C'est natural. You, chere are also a beautiful woman. One of de best lookin' women Gambit's ever seen. He not gonna risk losin' you. That don't mean he ain't gonna look around once and a while. Besides, you with a devilishly handsome monsieur, is you cheatin' on Scott?"
"No," Jean replied, giggling at the thought.
"Well den, is no big deal den. Folk is always gonna check if de grass is greener on de other side, but it don't mean dey gonna cross de fence, non?"
"No, I guess not."
"If Scott don't know how crazy you is for 'em, den he be a fool an' you be better off."
"Wow," Jean said, taken aback by Gambit's insights. "Thank you, Gambit. I'm so sorry that I've been so miserable and I've been really rotten to you."
"Water off a ducks back, chere."
"I guess there really is more to you than meets the eye," she added, eyeing him intently. "There may be hope for you yet."
"Not likely chere," Gambit replied dismissively.
"No I'm serious," Jean continued. "Rogue could do worse. It would be good for to have someone who cares for her so."
Gambit was a little shocked at Jean's statements. So much so that his cigarette fell out his mouth.
"Quoi! Uh, er, Gambit jus' curious is all. De chase is de thing, uh, dat's all. No big deal."
Gambit pulled out another cigarette from his coat pocked and preceded to fiddle with an uncooperative lighter. Swearing under his breath, he looked away from Jean, not saying a word.
"I'm sorry Gambit but you're emotions are highly readable when someone mentions her."
Gambit eyed Jean sternly from the corner of his eye, still refusing to talk about it openly.
"I'm sorry Gambit if I've touched a nerve but you know, psychic."
"You been readin' Gambit's mind?" Gambit inquired angrily.
"No Gambit, relax. I would never do that. But it wouldn't take a psychic to figure that see Rogue as more than an entertaining challenge. You care about her. There's nothing wrong with that."
"I…I…"
Gambit stuttered, feeling very uncomfortable with the line of questioning. He soon hardened his expression in an attempt to suppress his feelings.
"Gambit had enough of dis talk. Let's go find dem two."
"Alright fine," Jean sighed. "We'll save it for another session."
"Merci." Gambit replied with a sigh of relief.
"But before we do, let me say this,"
Gambit groaned, but begrudgingly complied with her request.
"A girl like Rogue, despite being all rough on the outside, wants sensitivity from whoever she is with. If you want to attract Rogue the way you are attracted to her, you need to show her that you're more than just a playboy. I think that's why she's attracted to Scott. Sure, he's not the most trendy or charming. He's certainly not a bad boy. But he's sensitive. And he cares. And he's not afraid to show that. Maybe if you showed more of the human being you are instead of the image you show to world, you might just get what you want."
Gambit's face softened as his thoughts and feelings about Rogue flowed through him. It was unlike anything he had ever felt for anyone and it frightened him. It frightened him that he could be so vulnerable to his emotions. That a girl, one of many that he had known, could have such a hold over him. Even with her sarcasm, her dismissive attitude, her attempts to push him away at every turn, shooting down his every word of charm, mocking his advances, thwarting his attempts at winning her over, Gambit still wanted her. Rogue was more remarkable than anyone he had ever known. She occupied every other thought that Gambit had. And if he chose to daydream, it would be of Rogue and himself being together. With everything in his life, Gambit made it all into a game, a game where could play the role of the gambler who takes risks. But with many of his 'relationships' his heart was never at risk and never would be. It was important to have that part of him hidden and protected, so as not to interfere with the game. And yet his feelings for Rogue seemed to unravel his entire life philosophy. The passion that she would incite within his soul made his life seem directionless, in a negative way. The image within his mind told him that whatever he may have preconceived about himself and his life was wrong and that something more positive and enlightening was possible.
As Gambit pondered on these things Jean was still talking and broke his train of thought with a disturbing closing statement.
"…that is if I don't kill her first."
"Huh? Non. Non chere, you can't be serious."
"Of course not," Jean replied. "At least…well, we'll see."
"And what about Monsier Summers then?"
"I told him to go out with her, I know. But I also told him not to have too good a time."
"Uh, what is having 'too good a time', chere?"
"Dancing with a girl that's not your girlfriend and enjoying it for one!" Jean replied sternly.
"How come we keep going back to this time and time again wid you. Why we go back?" Gambit groaned in frustration. "What his punishment gonna be?"
"I'll keep reminding of it for the rest of his life," Jean responded with candor.
"Mebbee you is really crazy." Gambit stated, who could not believe how insane Jean was acting.
"Alright, I admit. I'm way too possessive when it comes to Scott. I know it's unhealthy. But you don't know what it's like. You didn't hear all these girls talking about him. How can any girl stand to have other girls talk about your boyfriend like a piece of meat? And it's not just them. It's the other girls at school, too. They talk about him the same way. They're so shameless about it too, you would not believe. When my own teammates talk about my boyfriend that way, it's just so…grrrr!. And my friend, my so-called friend Taryn, steals him from me, knowing how I felt about him!"
"An' you tink Rogue is tryin' to steal your man, heh?"
"What am I supposed to think? She suckers me in with that bet and makes me give her Scott as payment. Manages to rob me and the rest of the girls about of their allowances and refuses to tell me what her intentions are!"
"Don't know. You tell me, chere"
"She's going to try and seduce him. That's what I think."
"Der is no way dat is possible. Rogue can't touch nobody. Not even your paramour Scott. So what she gonna do odher den kill 'em?"
"Well…," Jean stammered, desperately trying to think of something to support her irrational inferences. "If she could touch him she would."
"No doubt, chere," Gambit snorted. "No doubt if Rogue could, she would have had Monsieur Summers under her tumb in seconds flat."
"Oh, you're so sure about that are you?" Jean responded contemptuously.
"What Gambit is sayin' chere, if Rogue could, an' you was with Duncan, an' Scott was all by his lonesome, den Rogue would be all on him an' she would, as dey say, overwhelm his resolve, non?"
"But that's not the case now. He wouldn't look at another girl because he loved me…"
"While you was lovin' someone else…"
"Hey! That's not fair!" Jean shouted, irked by Gambit's comments. "It was a different time. I…didn't know how he felt…exactly."
"You knew somethin' didn't you, 'Mademoiselle Psychic'?"
"What was your point anyway?"
"You knew how Summers felt about you, chere. But you did nothin'. 'Stead you fall in de arms of de football player. An' he supposed to accept dat while you get all jealous when a girl come ten feet in front a 'em."
"Despite you browbeating me, I'm still not seeing you point!" Jean grunted.
"See, chere, you want to control de game. You expect all de cards to be in your favour. But de fact of de matter is, sometimes it ain't so. Summers got his own mind, his own feelings and his own choices. You got no right to make him feel guilty about what he feel. You also don't got a right to control him. If you want someone to really love you chere, you gotta give dem a chance to do it demselves. Is de only way is real."
Jean wasn't liking the way Gambit was vilifying her, even if some of it was making sense.
"Aren't you on my side?" Jean asked weakly.
"O'course chere. Gambit always on yer side. Gambit also like yer front. Gambit also hopes to get you on yer back."
"Shut up!" Jean shouted, concealing her smile.
"See? Gambit only tink to do de wrong ting. But he do right ting by people. Even if it not what he really want to do."
"Well, let me ask you something. I know you like Rogue, so, you're not the least bit jealous that she's attracted to Scott and not you?"
"Heh, like Gambit say, you gonna be attracted to other people, is human nature."
"But Rogue went through all this deception, just to spend time with Scott while you who are 'happily single' are staunchly ignored. Do you mean to tell me that it doesn't bother you in the slightest?"
"Even if Summers was de type dat would peruse as dey say, Rogue be too much fer him t'handle. Besides, Rogue likes de guys who are wild like she."
"You mean like you?"
"Is der anyone else?" Gambit retorted cockily.
"That still doesn't explain why she's out with Scott and not with you."
Gambit tossed away his cigarette and immediately flashed another one almost immediately. Yet he continued his discourse without interruption.
"Women know what dey want when dey want it. Den, dey get what dey want an' realize, dey don't have what dey need. From den one, if they is intelligent, dey will always want what dey need."
"So you're saying that Scott is the guy Rogue wants, but…you're the guy that she needs?"
"Exactement, chere."
"I'm not saying that you're being arrogant but Gambit, you're being arrogant."
"Your opinion, chere."
"And as you mentioned before, in the most sexist way that you could, you're saying that wanting someone is not the same as having someone. And when you realize that it's not what you want, you'll figure out what you need?"
"You a good listener, chere."
"That's fine for Rogue but Scott doesn't need any other girls, he has me!"
"Now who is arrogant?"
"Look, I know who I want to be with. And he's also happens to be what I need. So I don't know what you're trying to imply. He thinks I'm beautiful…"
"An a 'belle fille' you are chere, but nothin', for any of us is written in stone. An' no matter how square Monsieur Cyclops is, he is still a man. Don't worry chere, Gambit doubt der is any 'monkey-business' going 'round. But trust is always a gamble, non?"
"So that's why you're saying that I'm trying to control 'the game' because I'm afraid to trust Scott?"
"Couldn't a said it better myself."
"So I guess fidelity is a foregone conclusion?" Jean asked in biting tone.
"No chere, it's a gamble, is all."
"Look I don't expect that Scott should not look at other girls, but I don't have to like it. I don't like it all. I just don't know why he would want to."
"An' you don't, chere?" Gambit asked in disbelief.
"Don't what?"
"Check out de other boys?"
"Well, uh," Jean mumbled, unable to think up anything that wouldn't be a lie.
"How 'bout yours truly?" Gambit asked, moving closer to Jean. "Don't you like what you see?"
"No, but you smell like cigarettes and you're full of yourself." Jean snapped back.
"Guilty as charged. But don't you like Gambit jus' a little?"
Gambit inched closer to he was almost nose to nose with Jean. He held Jean by the waist and drew her body towards his.
"Uhh.." Jean continued to stutter as she grew uncomfortable with Gambit's unexpected advances. "Gambit…stop."
"All you got to do chere is give Gambit an' honest answer."
Gambit's piercing red eyes fixed themselves on Jean. She could feel them as if they were tearing into her soul in an attempt to uncover a dark secret. While the smell of his overcoat and cigarettes was overwhelmingly unappealing, Gambit's presence seemed to overshadow any unpleasantries. He was undeniably handsome, and while his cocky demeanor was a normal turnoff for her, Jean also found it somewhat exciting. While she was used to fighting off guys like Duncan and their crude advances, Gambit didn't make her feel as if she was about to be taken advantage of. He inched closer to her to whisper something in her ear.
"You tinkin' 'bout your boy, now?" he whispered mockingly.
It was only then that Jean realized that Gambit was toying with her just to prove his point.
"Hah, hah," Jean said acerbically. "You proved your point."
"An' masterfully so, non?" Gambit cracked, feeling very proud of himself. "Gambit was surprised he got dis far without being smacked into a wall."
"I was about to," Jean shot back. "I can still do that if you want me to."
"Don't be hurt, chere. Gambit just wanted to make his point clear."
"I'd thank you, but I'm too busy hating you right now."
"Ah, yer too good to me, chere!"
Jean couldn't help but crack a smile. Gambit was a smooth customer. But in his own way he meant well. While completely incorrigible he was still fascinating in his own way. Maybe that's why Rogue found him attractive. Perhaps that's what she liked too.
"What would you have done if I…succumbed to your charms?" she asked innocently enough.
"You wouldn't chere" Gambit said simply.
"Are you psychic now too?" Jean asked sarcastically.
"Tell you what, chere. We been ridin' down empty streets for hours now lookin' fer yer boyfriend, Monsieur Summers. It would not take a psychic to know dat Gambit is not de one you want. At least not at dis time."
"Well, that's true. But you wouldn't take a chance?"
"Gambit gamble for money, not his life. A good playa knows when to play and when to fold."
Gambit paused for a few seconds, momentarily removing the cigarette from his mouth.
"Mais bien sur, a kiss from de lovely Jean would give Gambit a charge in his card like no other, non?"
"Well, that's never going to happen, handsome," Jean replied, smiling sardonically. "But you're welcome to try."
"You tryin' to seduce me chere?"
Jean just grinned and shook her head.
"Let's get back to work before you become my official new boyfriend."
"No such luck chere, der he is, de devil himself."
"Wha..?" Jean gasped in surprise.
And sure enough, there his was, of all people, Scott Summers, the quintessential Boy Scout, all-around good guy, gallant leader of the X-men, breaking into a store. Both Jean and Gambit watched Scott use an optic blast to force the door open without causing any serious damage. He seemed oblivious to the fact that he was being watched.
"Well, well, well, heh, Gambit may have misjudged Monsieur Summers after all," he said smirking. "Perhaps der is more to him den meets his one eye, non?"
Jean was in complete shock.
"Oh my lord, she's turned him into a criminal!"
"Alright, chere, der's yer man. No need to search no more. You got what you came for, non?"
"Wait," Jean announced, raising her hand in objection. "We'll follow him. He'll lead us to Rogue. Can you follow him on your motorcycle without being seen."
"Heh, Gambit de best at trailin'"
"Good, I've got a strong link onto his psychic essence. We'll follow him with that after he leaves. I want to see that store up close."
"Sure ting, boss," joked Gambit.
"Not now, Gambit."
Jean remained pensive. A half an hour had passed and still Scott had yet to emerge. Jean began to obsess to herself once again, trying to come to terms with her boyfriends criminal behaviour.
"Why is he doing this for her? How is she making him do this? Scott would never cross a street without a crosswalk and now he's breaking and entering? How did she get to you Scott Summers? I have to believe in my heart of hearts that you would never betray my trust. But I see you doing something like this and I am filled with doubt. I know I come on strong that I haven't been as patient with you as I could. But if I knew truly what was in your heart…but you keep me away. Why? Is she giving you something that I can't? How can she get you to do such things? When I'm through with her…"
"Chere?"
"What is now Gambit?" roared Jean.
"You're amour is getting away."
"What?"
Jean turned to see Scott speeding off in his car.
"Alright then, let's go!"
In an incredible burst of power, Jean managed to lift herself, Gambit and the motorcycle off the ground, placing both of them on the motorcycle while jumpstarting the engine.
"Whoa," Gambit said breathlessly.
"Drive!" ordered Jean, who once again had that obsessed look on her face.
"Wait chere! What about de store? Remember what you say? Let's take a look."
"Right, we'll drive up to it, take a quick look and get back on the street."
As they drove up to the store, it surprised them both to find out that were at a costume shop of all places.
"I don't get it," said Jean, thinking aloud.
"Well, chere, you X-Men do like to wear dem pretty costumes, non?" Gambit mused.
"Look whose talking," Jean retorted, referring to Gambit's questionable attire.
"What you mean chere? Gambit is a fashion plate."
Jean just gave him a queer look. Gambit was a little offended by this and gave a look of disdain.
"Fine den," he said. "Never you mind."
"You can fake being offended later, right now, let's go inside and see what Scott was up to."
"If we stay too long chere, we may lose yer boy again."
"I've still got a strong lock on him psychically. We'll be able to follow him."
"Jus like before, heh?" Gambit queried bitingly.
Jean promptly ignored his remarks.
"Are you coming or not?" she asked.
"You kiddin'? Gambit wanna to see if Summers is a kindred spirit in de tiefin'"
"Scott, isn't a thief. He just broke into a store. Doesn't mean he stole anything."
"Jus keep tellin' yerself that chere, if it make you feel betta."
"Scott is not a thief. I'm sure of it."
"Jus as yer sure he ain't cheatin' on you?"
"Of course…of course…"
"Glad to see you so sure."
"You know that world famous charm you always brag about?"
"Oui?"
"It just wore thin!"
"Don't treat me so unkind chere," Gambit replied, acting hurt.
Jean just grunted and attempted to open the door. It seemed that Scott had locked the door after he left.
"Allow me chere," said Gambit, reaching for his lock-picks.
Without looking, Jean put her hand up to stop him. She focused her telekinetic powers to remove all the screws from the hinges of the door and then proceeded to remove the door and place it on the side.
"Bravo chere," Gambit said, impressed by Jean's display of power. "Ever consider a life of crime?"
Jean sort of smirked at Gambit's question.
"Let's go," she said simply.
Both of them entered the darkened establishment. Jean managed to find a light switch. As they brightened, they revealed a wide array of costumes: monster costumes, fun costumes, even a few risqué costumes. Gambit went to investigate those costumes a lot closer while Jean investigated the area. She saw money that was left on the counter; she sensed that it belonged to Scott. Jean psychically scanned the area in hopes of determining what in the world Scott was doing around here. The most she was able to figure out was that Scott had been hanging around make-up supplies. He wasn't there too long. It looked as if Scott knew what he was looking for right away, but the shelf was rife with so many items it was hard to tell what he actually took. There wasn't even a mess. Even stranger, he had gone into one of the change rooms in the back for some time. She started to feel something was wrong.
"We done here, chere?" Gambit yelled impatiently from one end of the store, as he fiddled with a corset.
"No!" Jean roared back. "I'm still trying to figure out what he was doing here."
"Beats me, chere. Mebbee der is a clue in one of deez costumes. Here, try dis one one."
Gambit ran up to her and raised a sultry French maid outfit. Jean immediately smacked it out of his hand.
"Oww! Jus kiddin' chere! You is too sensitive. Besides, you know where your boy is now so let's jus collect him an' we go home, non?"
"No, I need to figure this out. Scott came here with a purpose and he's never done anything like this. I mean he did break into the place but he left money on the counter. So what was so important that he had to break in here? What could possibly possess him to break into a costume shop in the middle of the night? Can somebody please tell me why?"
"Easiest way to figure it out chere," Gambit replied, thoughtfully. "We go tete-a-tete wid Rogue an' your boy and ask."
"I guess your right," Jean said sheepishly. "I've been avoiding the obvious point of action. Why I am so reluctant?"
"You may not like what it is you find, chere."
"My head is telling me that there isn't anything for me to worry about, but my whole being is telling something is wrong."
"So you convince yerself dat he wouldn't say no to Rogue, heh?"
"No! He would never do that!" Jean exclaimed, trying to dismiss such thoughts from her mind.
"But you tink dat's what she gonna do?"
"We've been through this before…"
"An here you is again feelin' like dis. Mebbee is time to see how Rogue really feels."
Jean looked at him perplexed as she was convinced they were talking about Scott.
"Rogue?"
Gambit realized what he had just said and tried to explain his actions.
"Gambit mean Monsieur Summers…" he mumbled unconvincingly.
"So you do like her," Jean stated, grinning mercilessly.
Gambit disliked her gloating over his Freudian slip and simply refused to talk about it.
"Why are men so afraid of their feelings? Isn't it a good thing that you feel that way about someone? Why not just tell her?"
"You don't understand! You don't understand Gambit! Gambit is a playa of de highest caliber. He play de women here an' dere. All of dem, ten ou ten plus! So what happens. Dis petite mademoiselle who disrespect Gambit on every occasion an' never give him de time of day an' never show him de least bit of interest, what does Gambit do? He go on a wild goose chase wid you, fer what? Heh, de ace ain't nothin' but a joker now! Gambit need to know if he can get to her jus like she has got to him!"
Gambit, for the first time, seemed quite despondent, as if he didn't have a chance in the world with Rogue and yet he was still determined to find out. He was willing to take the risk of being shot down just because he needed to know the truth. Jean saw how much Gambit really liked Rogue, almost to the degree of driving himself into misery, just to be near her.
"We'll do it together," Jean said, placing her hand on his shoulder to reassure him that everything was going to be alright. "We can tell our significant others how much we care about them."
"Easy fer you chere," Gambit said gloomily.
"Look, we'll meet of with them and before I kill Rogue, you can tell her how you loved her the first time you saw…"
Jean immediately silenced herself as Gambit eyes widened with intensity with her words.
"You…You been readin' my mind, chere!" he stated angrily, visibly shaken.
"I'm sorry Gambit if I took a peak. But I didn't have to go very far to find out how you feel."
"Still ain't your place to go into my head, chere. Gambit deserve his privacy. Gambit deal with things his own way."
With that, Gambit drew a heavy sigh, throwing up his hands. He felt truly lost.
"Gambit never felt this way 'bout nobody. It's...scary."
"I know exactly what you mean." Jean said supportively.
"What really bugs Gambit more den anythin' is why Summers? Why she so head over heels over dat square?"
"Hey!" Jean exclaimed, taking exception. "He's my boyfriend you know."
"My apologizes chere, but Gambit know understand dis woman."
"Well, Scott's nice to her. He actually cares to listen to her. He's straightforward and honest. There are no agendas, tricks, he…cares."
"Too good to be true," Gambit grumbled jealously.
"It seems that way sometimes. That's why I'm the luckiest girl in the world."
"Gambit'd steal the world fer Rogue. But Gambit ain't nothin' like your boy. How could she want someone like me?" Gambit was dejected as he couldn't find the answers to satisfy his heart.
"It's true Gambit. You're right. You're not like Scott. You're the consummate 'bad-boy'. Nine times out of ten, girls fall you."
"Mebbee even you?" Gambit queried slyly.
"Nice try," Jean said smiling. "Anyway, what's important is that you don't have to be Scott. Rogue is drawn to Scott because he cares about her. You need to show her that you care too. Like I said, Scott doesn't try to charm her, impress her. He's just honest. It's no wonder that she's attracted him. I mean…Oh Lord, what am I talking about?"
"Uh, you were sayin' chere?"
"Umm, no time!" Jean replied panicking. "We got to go now! We'll talk later after I go and kill Rogue!"
"Hold up, chere! Hold up! Let's all calm down here!"
"No we can't! I've got to stop her! She's in love with him!"
"Den it would be good riddance, no? Jus like we talk before"
"She's going to trick him like she did to me!" Jean cried, becoming almost hysterical.
"Get a hold of yerself girl! Don't you go nuts on Gambit. You want yer answer? We go now an' finish dis!"
Jean stood silently playing with her fingers as she thought apprehensively about the final confrontation with Rogue. Gambit continued to console her.
"You gonna see that nothin' has happened. An' der was nothin' to worry about. An' you gonna be happy to see your boy…"
"And I get to kill Rogue?" Jean asked disturbingly.
Gambit gave Jean a look of concern.
"We'll see, chere."
Jean seemed to feel better. She showed an incredible show of force, pulling them both outside while simultaneously closing the door behind them, screwing it back into place then planting both her and Gambit on the motorcycle, getting Logan's 'borrowed' helmet and placing it on her head.
"All right, let's go!" she said cheerfully.
"You startin' to scare me, chere," Gambit stated, a little jarred by being 'lifted' against his will.
"No, Gambit, you were right the first time. I'm going to find my love. It will be all innocent and nice. And then I'll kill Rogue. There's nothing to worry about."
"Yeah, chere," Gambit said, obviously worried. "Nothin' to worry about."
And so once again, the two mutants were off to meet their destiny. Whether tragedy or joy would be the final verdict, was as uncertain as the evening dusk they rode into.