A/N: Omg I'm sooooo sorry for how long this took me to get up! I took me forever to write because all I really want to do is write the next few parts and get this story over with. And then my family was over my house for a wedding and I couldn't type up what I had written. And now I typed it up and I'm really supposed to be doing my homework. So I'm going to make this quick. Libby k asked if I got all the stuff from the transcripts or if I just filled in the holes. Well I watched the whole episode on You Tube and typed up my own transcript for it. Then I just filled in the holes with some of my own stuff. So yeah, basically. And thanks for reviewing Libby k, you rock! Lol. On with the story!
Disclaimer: The characters and plotlines of X-Men Evolution unfortunately don't belong to moi. Also, this idea of chronicling certain events in a character's life doesn't belong to me either. Full credit goes to Deandra who writes awesome Lord of the Rings stories. I got this idea from her and I suggest you go read her stuff.
Chapter 3- Games
"Got any threes?"
"Nope, go fish, chere."
Rogue sighed and Remy mentally laughed at the look on her face. "Remind meh why we're playin' this, again?" she asked him, picking up a card from the pile.
"Well, it's a good time passer," he replied. "Got any tens?" he asked her idly. He smirked when she scowled at him and passed him her card. "And besides, y' said y' didn't play poker, so Gambit figures dis be de next best t'ing," he explained, putting down his pair of tens. Plus I don' t'ink dis occasion would be de right place for some strip poker, Remy thought wryly.
"Doesn't mean Ah ain't willin' tah learn," Rogue told him, giving him a defiant look. She looked down suddenly, her hair falling around her face. Remy could see the conflict in her posture. "Ah really shouldn't even be playin' with yah," she said softly.
"Now why's dat, chere?" Remy asked, setting down his cards and leaning back against a crate.
Rogue's head bobbed back up and she raised one perfect eyebrow. "Oh come on, Gambit. Yah can't tell meh yah don't see the irony of this," she said, her lips twisting into a slight smile. "First yah kidnap meh, then Ah attack yah, and now we're playin' go fish."
It was Remy's turn to grin. "Non, Gambit don' really see y' point," he said playfully. "Now,'s y' turn. 'Y gonna go or not?"
Rogue just looked at him before slowly shaking her head. "Yah're annoyin'," she decided, glancing down at her cards. "Got any jacks?"
He handed her a jack and she smirked triumphantly. "If I had a dollar for every time someone called me dat, I'd be more rich den I already am," he told her, smiling at the sight of her smirk. She didn't smile enough and he liked the way her eyes seemed brighter with the gesture.
Rogue made an amused noise. "Ah don't doubt it."
Remy was about to make a smart ass response but was stopped when they both felt the train slow down. "Good, we're almost dere." He started to collect his cards off the boxcar floor.
"Where is 'dere' exactly?" Rogue asked, mocking his accent and handing him her cards. "Which part of Louisiana?"
"Why de best part, chere," he told her, putting the cards inside his trench coat and pulling it on. "De French Quarter of New Orleans."
Remy could sense Rogue was trying to contain her excitement. He could relate. Despite his real reason for being here, being back in his home town would be like a breath of fresh air.
"Why New Orleans?" Rogue asked him curiously, sitting down on a crate.
"Well it be Mardi Gras and Gambit figured y' could use a little partyin'," he lied smoothly. "Thought it might help y' relax a bit." Rogue nodded as if she actually understood his warped logic. He himself didn't even comprehend it though.
The train slowed down all the way and finally came to a stop with a jerk. Remy went to the boxcar door and peered out cautiously. He and Rogue weren't exactly paying customers. Seeing that the coast was clear, Remy easily jumped out of the boxcar and onto the ground. He turned to look back up at Rogue who was still in the boxcar. "Y' comin' chere?" he asked. Holding out his arms he flashed her his most charming smile. "If y' need help, Gambit'll be more den happy t' catch y'."
Rogue gave him a none too happy look. "Ah think Ah can handle it," she told him. With that she executed a neat flip and landed behind him lightly.
"Y' certainly can," he agreed flirtatiously, eyeing her up and down. Not waiting for her to respond, he started walking across the tracks and towards the city. "C'mon cheríe. Gambit don't know about y' but he be ready for some quality southern food." Though no one makes it as good as Tante Mattie, he thought distantly. Hopefully after all of this was over he would sit down to a nice dinner with his family. Minus Jean-Luc of course. Maybe Rogue would be there instead.
The two of them walked silently into the city. The party was in fully swing and everywhere there were people laughing and having a good time. They passed a clown handing out beads and Remy stopped to grab a couple for Rogue. "Here y' go chere," he said, placing them around her neck, being mindful of her skin.
Though Rogue flinched for a second she didn't berate him. Instead she gave him a small smile that made his heart stop. "Thanks," she said, touching the beads lightly.
They continued walking and though it might have seemed like they were walking nowhere, Remy was subtle leading them into Assassin territory. And knowing the Assassins like he did, he know they wouldn't just let him pass by peacefully. No, there would be a fight and hopefully his plan would follow through. He just needed Rogue to start to trust him a little more. He could tell she was still wary of his intentions. Remy glanced sideways at her. She seemed to be enjoying herself, if the imperceptible smile on her face was any indication.
"Ah always loved Mardi Gras," she spoke suddenly. "No matter who yah are yah fit in."
Remy had always loved Mardi Gras too, but for a different reason. Mardi Gras had always been a special time for kids in the Thieves Guild. Tourists never suspected innocent looking children of pick pocketing so it was always profitable. Remy, his brother, and his cousins had made it into a game. A sort of 'who could collect the most money' kind of thing. Needless to say, Remy had almost always won. Except for one year when he had been sick and Tante Mattie hadn't let him go out.
Remy looked in front of him to see a bulky man walking his way. Time t' show Rogue one of m' many talents, he thought. "First time I've been here wit'out workin'," he commented casually. He purposely bumped into the guy and his quick hand stealthily grabbed the mans wallet. He apologized with a nod of his head and continued walking.
"Workin' at what?" Rogue asked curiously.
"Gettin' by," he replied, smugly holding the wallet up. He almost laughed when Rogue gave him a nasty look. He definitely wasn't happy though, when she snatched the wallet out of his hands.
"Here, yah dropped your wallet!" she called after the man. He caught it with a stupefied expression on his face when Rogue tossed it to him.
When she turned back to him she looked like she was going to reprimand him so Remy cut in smoothly. "Hungry?" he asked. He knew she must have been. After all, he hadn't exactly grabbed some snacks to eat for the train ride. "'Cause dat little jazz club has the best jambalaya," he told her, pointing across the street.
Rogue agreed with an eager nod of her head and the two set off across the street. Y' making dis real easy chere, he thought. He chided himself almost immediately. Don' get 'head of y'self LeBeau. Remy knew that no plan was foolproof.
As they entered the club, Remy led them to a cozy little table near the back wall. He knew he needed to be in plain sight so any of the Assassins would see him. Despite how anxious he was to get this all over and done with he didn't let his posture show it, sliding casually down in his seat and stretching his legs out.
Rogue looked right at home in the little jazz club and in the light Remy could really see what a beauty she was. Her gorgeous two-toned hair truly complimented her fair unblemished skin. She didn't need to wear so much make-up though. Remy thought she would look even more belle without it. Plus, it would uncover her bright green eyes more. Few people probably knew that they were actually greed rather then grey. The first encounter him and Rogue had had, Remy had stared into her eyes for plenty of time to know exactly what color they were.
The thing about Rogue was, she didn't know how attractive she was. Or maybe she did and that's why she dressed the way she did. Her Gothic attired basically screamed 'Stay Away'. Of course, so did her name. Remy knew she did this because of her powers. It seemed like everything she did or didn't do was centered on her powers. Even now she was unconsciously fiddling with her gloves while looking around the club. Every couple of seconds though, her eyes would return to him along with a little nervous edge.
It was clear to Remy that Rogue was still wary of him. After all, who would get kidnapped and be calm about it? But Remy could feel her starting to come around and be more relaxed with him. Which'll make dis all de more easier, he convinced himself. 'S for a good cause after all.
"Ah forgot how much Ah really miss these kind of places," Rogue confessed suddenly, drawing Remy out of his silent contemplation.
"Yeah," he agreed, nodding his head. "Nothin' like did up north," he said truthfully. No matter how much Remy wanted to get out of New Orleans he would never be able to stay away from it completely. It was his home. He loved the atmosphere of it. The careless, flirty, and just all around fun setting had always fitted his personality perfectly. There was no place like the Big Easy.
"So," his lovely companion started, leaning forward a bit and looking as thought she'd been waiting to ask something for a while. "Yah've always been a thief?"
Oh…dat. "Let's jus' say it runs in de family," he told her with a casual wave of his hand.
His chere wouldn't let it go though. "What? Yah mean like yoah father?" she asked, gesturing to him.
Remy scoffed lightly and looked away. "If y' could call 'im dat," he said scornfully. He put a disgruntled look on his face, but his eyes were scanning the club for signs of the Assassins. "Fact is, Gambit's gotta go see de bum some time tonight." There! There was the Prince of Assassins himself, Julien Boudereax, heading their way. Act surprised Remy. "Julien!" he exclaimed abruptly, standing up.
Behind him he heard Rogue go "Huh?" but he was busy focusing on Julien. "Well, if it ain't de infamous Remy LeBeau." A good came up behind him and grabbed him and another did the same to Rogue. "Hey, watchi it!" she warned angrily, struggling against him. Yeah, get y' hands off m' chere, Remy though before realizing that had been the plan all along. "Dis is jus' saves m' de trouble o' huntin' y' down," Julien finished, extending his bo staff and preparing to swing it.
Before he could, both Remy and Rogue flipped their opponents over their shoulders. Rogue's luckily went flying into Julien, knocking him onto the floo. Sensing another thug behind him, Remy extended his own bo staff and neatly spun around, tripping the guy in the process. Remy noticed Julien starting to get up but before he could do anything Rogue grabbed his staff. "Can Ah borrow this?" she asked needlessly as she was already starting away with it.
In the next moment, if Remy blinked he probably would have missed it, Julien was sent hurtling out the closed door by Rogue. Walking slowly to the door Remy leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms, staring down at the crumpled form of Julien amusedly. Now dere's sometin' y' don' see everyday, Remy mused.
Rogue came walking out a second later and handed his bo staff back. "Thanks," she said, keeping an eye on Julien.
"Anytime," Remy replied. He actually meant it too. Watchin' dat fille work is m' new favorite t'ing t' do, he decided. So preoccupied was he with watching her, Remy forgot about the other three Assassins. One came and rammed him in the back, knocking him to the ground. The guy had him pinned to the ground when Rogue came and kicked him off. Chere is very good at what she does.
Seeing the other two thugs come towards him, Remy charged a nearby parking meter. Here goes not'ing. Luckily the meter exploded and sent a wave of hot coins at the two who were knocked down. Remy grinned with satisfaction. His triumph was short lived though when he someone came up and tackled him from behind. He was then slammed into the wall and turned around to face his assailant. It was Julien of course. The Prince of Assassins winded up to punch him when he suddenly collapsed with a goofy smily on his face. And there, with one glove off, stood Rogue.
For a moment she looked fine, but she suddenly stumbled and put a hand to her head in pain. What is she seein'? Remy wondered. She had her eyes cosed tightly but opened them when he cautiously approached her. She gasped and looked at though she didn't know who he was. He mentally sighed in relief when her eyes lit up with recognition.
Remy noticed a couple of the Assassins starting to get up and decided that since they probably had all the information, it was best to make their exit. "Time t' go," he told Rogue, reaching out and grabbing the beads around her neck. He charged them up before quickly ripping them off her and flinging them in the direction of the Assassins. Each one exploded, effectively knocking them all out.
He turned back to Rogue who was pulling her glove back on. No sooner had she, when Remy grabber her hand in his and started dragging her way from the scene. He pulled her a couple of blocks before suddenly ripping her hand away from his. Alrigh', here it comes, Remy thought, turing to face her. After all, she had absorbed Julien. She was bound to get some dirt on him. 'Course, as long as she got where they be keepin' Jean-Luc, it be fine.
Rogue's face was flushed with irritation and she looked a little worse for wear after the short fight, but Remy couldn't help but stare. "Alright, I got a dose of info from that lug," she said, glaring up at him, her eyes fired up. She pointed accusingly at him. "Yah're part of some crim family called the Thieves Guild?"
"'Was', not anymore," he informed her. Now LeBeau, it's time t' be de great actor I know y' can be. "Gambit's sorry y' got involved with dat Rogue," he said solemnly, turning and walking away. It wasn't exactly a lie. He was sorry that he had to get his mixed up in this. She had been used enough. I'm not usin' her, Remy tried to convince himself. She jus' helpin' m' unknowingly.
As Remy thought she would, Rogue followed him. "And this Julien," she continued. "He's from a rival family?"
"The Rippers," Remy answered swiftly, naming Julien's own private group of Assassins. He decided that, although she probably already knew they were Assassins, there was no need to freak her out. He stopped walking and turned back to her. "Look, t'anks for y' help, really. But now, Gambit's gotta go take care of some stuff." Reverse psychology. It always works. He'd make her think he didn't want or need her help and she'd come running. He started away from her again.
Rogue would not let him go though. "Why didn't yah tell meh they kidnapped yoah father?" she asked finally.
He halted again and faced her. "Because y' don' need anymore troubles," he said, looking deep into her eyes before turning away again.
She didn't carry after him this time. "What're yah gonna do?" she called to his back.
"Go get 'im," Remy replied over his shoulder. He shrugged pitifully and continued on his way. "Soon as I find out where he is."
Rogue had no response to that it seemed. Remy walked on until he reached the nearest corner. There he quickly put his back to the wall and peered back around the corner at Rogue. She looked confused and seemed to be lost in thought as she stared out at the Mardi Gras floats. Finally, after a couple nerve-wracking moments for Remy, Rogue looked as thought she had made up her mind and started in the directions he had taken. "Dats right, cheríe, come on," he muttered under his breath.
He began walking down the street again to make it seem as if he had been doing that the whole time. Remy grinned at a passing woman, feeling as though nothing could go wrong now. That is, until he spotted a rather out of place costume in the crowd. Merde, he swore mentally. The leader of the X-Men was certainly not a welcome sight at the moment. And Remy knew that where one X-Men was, the other were surely not far behind.
He backtracked quickly, coming across Rogue in his path. "Ah need to talk to you," she informed him quietly. Luckily she had her attention focused on Remy and didn't see her teammate behind him. He wordlessly ushered her across the street and into a deserted alleyway. "What's the matter?" she asked, obviously noticing him attempting to be discreet.
"Uh," Remy tried to come up with something quick. "I jus' don' want y' t' be seem with m'," he told her. "It's dangerous." That much was true. He was basically a sitting duck out here in Assassin territory.
Rogue got straight to the point. "Listen, Ah know where they're keepin' yoah father," she said, looking up at him with her big green eyes.
Remy tried not to let a satisfied look come over his face, instead donning a surprised one. "Y' do?" he asked, leaning closer to her. "Where?"
"Blood Moon Bayou," she replied instantly. "But you'll never get past their sensors and water mines so Ah'm goin' with yah," she continued, almost daring him to contradict her.
Suddenly, a wave of guilt washed over Remy. She was so willing to help him, to totally disregard the consequences and the fact that going into the Assassin hideout was basically suicide. He should have never involved her in this. He quickly made a decisions. He shook his head at her. "No, no, Gambit'll manage on his own," he told her, turning away and hoping she would stay put for once.
Her voice stopped him. It was laced with desperation and regret. "Gambit, Ah had the chance to do somethin' like this before and Ah didn't. Ah need tah do it now."
Slowly he turned back to her and was immediately trapped by her beautiful eyes. They pleaded with him and though he knew it was wrong he was loather to deny them. He looked down at the ground. "Alright," he finally conceded. Remy hoped she would never find out his true intentions in bringing her here. She would probably never forgive him. He would have a hard time forgiving himself.
I feel like this chapter was so long and drawn out. Blehhhh, I really can't wait until I can right the next part. Not the next chapter but the next Part. The next chapters going to be long and drawn out to. Lol. Chapter 5 will be good though. Yeah I bumped this up to 5 chapters instead of 4. Anway, tell me what you think! Please review! Thanks bunches folks!