9
Gambit grinned at the girls as they walked out of Xavier's office, chatting up a storm.
He leaned against the wall and admired her as she neared him. "So mon chère. Care t'join Remy fo' a night on d'town?"
Rogue looked up at him, squaring her jaw.
"I'd love to!" AJ smiled. "Oh! Were… you not talking to me?" she looked from Rogue back to Gambit. "My bad…"
Rogue shot her a nasty look before shaking her head. "Ah don't feel like goin' out Gambit."
"Well what 'bout you dove?" He winked at AJ "You keep Remy company…"
"Of course I'll come." She grinned, stepping towards him "As long as you let me believe I wasn't your second choice…"
"Anyt'in fo'you mon amour." He took her hand and kissed the back of it gently. "An' maybe later y'can show Remy how t'… take it off… wit' class…"
They were trying to make her jealous.
"Alright fine!" She huffed. "I'll go!"
She stomped past them, her arms crossed tightly as she headed towards her room.
AJ linked arms with Gambit, tilting her head back and laughing. "You never cease to amaze me you know."
"Remy tries chère." He smiled before giving her a look. "So tell me who yo'thinkin' bout."
"Excuse me?" She pulled her arm away. "How dare you insinuate that I'm thinking of anyone but you?"
His grin widened "Didn' think y'felt so strongly 'bout me." He looked at her "Love?"
She let out a laugh and moved away "Don't… don't do that."
"Jus' speakin' d'truth chère." He shrugged. "Who's d'lucky man?"
"There is no lucky man because there is none of that feeling." She shook her head, and held up her hand. "You're just wrong. Besides… who have you seen me with? No one."
"Been wrong before." He shrugged. "But y'distracted, non?"
She nodded running a hand through her hair. "Lots of things goin' on up here." She said, tapping her temple.
They rounded the corner to the Rec. room. "Why don't y'come out with us t'night? Y'keep an eye on Remy fo' Rogue." He winked. "Do y'good."
She smiled "Sure. It's been a while."
Once Gambit had left, she moved over to the couch and waited. He was coming.
He was chewing a toothpick as he sat down next to her, rolling it around on his tongue before offering her a crooked smile.
"Everything alright?"
She looked forward and shrugged slightly "Yeah, I guess." She licked her lips "I don't know."
"Y'know… if it'd make y'feel better…" He cracked his knuckles. This was hard for him. "I mean, we don't have t'keep anything secret."
She shook her head "No, it wouldn't."
He nodded, silently relieved that she hadn't agreed. "Good."
"It's not that Tiger." She grinned, looking at him "I don't know."
He nodded. They both knew what it was, but neither one of them wanted to admit it.
The music pulsed through the club speakers. AJ grinned as she looked out on all the dancing people, laughing and having a good time.
Gambit put his arm around Rogue as he ordered another round of drinks.
"Why don't y'come dance with Remy?" He gave her puppy dog eyes.
"No. Ah don't think it's safe… it's too crowded down there." She shook her head.
He shrugged and stood up. "Dere's lot's o'fine ladies out dere..." he started to say before walking out of ear shot.
Kitty sucked back another shot and shook her head "This is like my fifth one of these an' I don't feel a thing!" She shook her head with a goofy grin. Her slurred speech made Rogue and AJ laugh.
Rogue's eyes wandered back to the dance floor. She watched his every move, just to make sure he wasn't getting too cozy with any of the bimbos down there.
"Did you want me to go dance with him?" AJ leaned in and whispered in her ear.
Rogue pressed her lips together before nodding.
AJ grinned from ear to ear before zipping down to the floor. This used to be her life. Clubbing, getting as much out of one man as she could. But now, she was just doing it for fun. With her friends.
She grabbed the Cajun by the arm, pulling him away from a clutching blonde.
"Hey hun." She winked seductively "Care t'dance with a stranger?'
He grinned "'Course." He gave the blonde an apologetic look before turning his attention to AJ.
A new song with a reggae beat came on. She danced closely to him before moving in. "I have to admit. I'm here against my will."
He looked up at the table where the other two sat. Rogue looked away when his eyes met hers.
He smiled, running his hand up her back as they danced "Better make it look good den."
Kitty shrugged "They're pretty good. She dances like they do in that movie with Patrick Swaze.. you know the one where they dance all cool."
Rogue pressed her lips together "Yeah."
"Hey! Storm!"
"What?" Rogue furrowed her brow.
"And Wolvie!" Kitty stood up and waved "Yooou hoooo!"
"Stop!" Rogue shook her head with a laugh "Y'sound like a fool!"
Storm smiled, pulling her companion along with her as she made her way over to the two.
"What are you doin' here? This ain't a place ah'd expect t'see you." Rogue smiled at Logan, pulling the stool out next to her for Storm.
"'Ro wanted some company." He crossed his arms with a frown "Now that you have some…"
"Oh, please don't leave." Storm put a hand on his arm "It'll do you good to get out once in a while."
"To a place like this? Who even likes this music?"
Rogue pointed to the dance floor "Looks like they're likin' it alright." She narrowed her eyes. "Maybe a little too much…"
AJ had her arm around his neck, dipping her head back mid laugh. His hand on her hip, feeling every move she made to the beat. She ran her hand up her side and closed her eyes, feeling the heavy beat of the music.
Rogue squared her jaw. Even though she hated watching them dance like that, she'd much rather it be with someone she trusted then with some floozy. She'd much rather it be her…
"What's wrong with you?" Kitty punched Logan in the arm.
He ignored her, staring at the dance floor with a frown.
AJ had moved on to another guy while Gambit made his way back up to the others. He greeted Storm with her affectionately given nickname, Stormy, before looking Logan in the eye with a cocky grin.
"Interesting."
"What." Logan grunted.
He simply shrugged, sitting down across from Rogue, giving her a kiss on the back of the hand.
The song trailed off, before switching to the next in line. AJ started her way off the floor, squeezing her way through the crowd of people. Her eyes met his for a brief moment before she looked at her feet, continuing on over to them.
"It's been so long!" She laughed as she sat down. "I'm a little winded!"
Logan squared his jaw. "I bet."
She looked at him for a moment before shaking her head "You'll get your turn."
"Yeah." He let out a small laugh "I'll pass."
The waitress came over, excusing herself past Logan and setting down a drink in front of AJ.
"Compliments of the gentleman at the bar there." She grinned, pointing at the young man at the bar who offered her a wink.
AJ smiled, taking a sip and giving him a small wave.
Logan let out a short laugh "Yer priceless."
She stared at him.
"Y'got em eatin' outta yer palm… don't you?"
She grabbed him by the arm "Can I talk to you for a minuet? Alone."
She pulled him behind her, dragging him outside before crossing her arms tightly "What is your problem!"
"My problem?"
"Yes!" She huffed "You're acting like a giant ass hole!"
He grabbed her arm "And you're acting like a-"
She pushed him away "Don't you dare. Don't act like some overbearing jealous… whatever!" she gritted her teeth "I'm having fun Logan. I'm sorry if that isn't your idea of fun, but it's mine. This is who I am. This is what I do. Maybe I was just blinded by the big tough guy with a heart act, but you were the one that said I was worth the trouble."
"Well… maybe I was wrong."
She pressed her lips together "I guess so. But then I was too. Wasn't I?"
She turned around and started to walk away.
"What, yer runnin' again? What else is new?" He scoffed, giving his head a shake as he watched her walk away.
It was better this way. For both of them.