(Six)
Gambit paced restlessly beside the Blackbird, his face hard with impatience. Kimble had been quiet since the cat incident and the last day had passed quickly. It was now time to head out to Yosemite. The jet was just about ready for take off and he had no more time. He was waiting.
Molly ain't comin', he grumbled to his inner self.
/ She will. Have patience,/ Shi'ow-ri whispered, ever the optimist.
Storm peeked her head out of the door of the jet, watching him pace. She could see he was waiting for something although he had said nothing to anyone. She didn't like the hardness of his face, it meant he was hurting and foolishly trying to hide it. It pained her, but he hadn't explained why he was so worried. Storm wasn't one to pry and if he wasn't going to bring it up, she wouldn't push him. She made a soft noise so he would look up at her. "Gambit, the jet is ready. We have to go."
"Oui, chere. Gambit's comin'," he replied, unable to hide the look of terrible disappointment on his face. He had really hoped Molly would come see him off, but he hadn't seen her all day. He had seen very little of her the past two weeks, actually. He had been carrying around this secret hope that she would come back to him quickly after their rooftop conversation went so well, but she had been like a ghost, taking her time to consider what he had said. They had seen each other around, but not to talk, and he was being respectful and didn't push the issue. He had just run out of time to deal with this and his heart was filled with a terrible ache. He was flying off to Yosemite in a few minutes and had no idea how long he would be gone. He had hoped to have resolved things with her before he left but it didn't look like that was going to happen. He bowed his head and started to climb the ladder.
He took one step, but stopped when he heard the tram pull up to the hanger. His body gave a mighty shiver when he heard a bark and Molly's sneaker clad feet running up to him. He turned into her embrace, an automatic movement, but the wetness of his eyes was anything but planned. They collided in a rush of heat and love, emotions running wild. He gave her a mighty squeeze and whispered, "Merci, mon Dieu, merci!"
Storm couldn't help but smile behind her surprise. She hadn't known who to expect, certainly not this girl, but there was no mistaking Gambit's relief. Ororo had no idea there was anything beyond friendship with these two, but it was clear now that Molly was very special to him. It pleased her, she was fond of Remy, she always would be, and his happiness brought a surge of joy in her heart. "Two minutes, Remy," she said as she withdrew. "We cannot wait any longer."
In the control tower, Logan crossed his arms and sighed with impatience. He was in charge of the takeoff and he'd had a good idea of why Remy had been waiting. He had just gotten his proof. As much as he disapproved, this relationship between the thief and his niece was continuing to grow. Remy was so uncertain about Rogue, about Kimble. The last thing he needed was to complicate matters by dragging Molly into it. Couldn't Remy see how this was only making things worse? Maybe it was time for him to have another long talk with the boy.
Down in the hanger, Gambit released the girl in his arms so he could see her hands. Quickly now, he gave her a slip of paper. "Gambit's gotta go, Molly girl. Dis here de number fo' my satellite phone. Gotta use dat, dere ain't no cell towers out dere. 'E gonna call you twice every day, dere's de times. I wrote it down so dere ain't no chance of us missin' each other. If Gambit don' call, den 'e got hung up somewhere or mebbe, God willin', he wit de Games Master. If I miss you den I'm gonna keep callin' 'til I get you, chere, je promets. Don't know how long I'm gonna be gone, but I will call you, I swear."
I believe you. I'll keep this with me, she said, tucking the paper in her pocket.
"You gotta do me a favor an' help Set' an' 'Enry look after my Kimble, s'il vous plait. Play wit him some, eh? Will you do dat fo' me?"
Of course.
"Bien. Gambit's gotta go now, he got no time. Au revoir, petite. Gambit's gonna miss you."
I'll miss you, too. Good luck.
He took a step back to leave, but hesitated. He came back and leaned in to kiss her, he couldn't stop himself. He wanted her mouth, he did, but didn't dare. If he kissed her there, he wouldn't be able to stop. He pressed his lips to her forehead, lingering there so she would know his heart. He withdrew, seeing the brightness of her shine.
/ She loves you,/ Shi'ow-ri whispered.
Gambit loves her, too. Hope she knows it.
/ She does. /
Molly let him go, but her hands held him as long as possible, sliding down his arms as he retreated to clasp his hand a moment before finally releasing him. He said nothing more, he didn't need to. She could see the joy in his heart and knew it was real. Everything he felt for her was real, all of it. Whatever Rogue had said about him simply didn't matter. Whomever he may have once been, that wasn't the man before her now, she knew it instinctively. She waved at him and backed away as the Blackbird's jets came to life with a high pitched whine. It was time to go, it would be too loud in here.
Remy hopped up the ramp and shut the door as Scott moved the jet into position for launch. The jet was loud now and Molly had to cover her ears and retreat even farther, going all the way to the tram. The plane moved into the launch tunnel and just like that, they were gone.
In the control tower, Logan watched as Molly lingered a minute and then slowly turned back to the tram, a happy smile on her face. It did nothing to ease his worry. She was falling in love with a scoundrel, a veritable chick magnet. Gambit couldn't go anywhere without calling attention to himself. He was an arrogant trickster, a perpetual flirt. How was Molly supposed to deal with it? He sighed again and lit a cigarette, trying to relax. He would just have to wait, bide his time. Maybe this would all blow over. Meanwhile there was Kimble to deal with. Time to worry about the bigger problem at hand.