Proceeding According to Plan

Summary:

Once again Rogue is asked to prove her loyalty to the Brotherhood as they send her on a mission only she can accomplish—to steal from a master thief. Will Gambit be able to resist Rogue's charms, or will he fall to the wiles of this southern belle?

Author's Note:

Prompt for Romy Writing Exercise:

Gambit meets Rogue and Domino at the Brotherhood base

Universe: WatX

Time limit: 15-20 min (This took much longer than 15-20 min...)

.

Are you ever given a prompt, look at it and go 'ooh, this is an interesting idea,' then proceed to throw about 95% of the prompt out the window? Yeah, that's what happened here.

WatX? Yes, please. I've been wanting an excuse to write in that 'verse.

Gambit meeting Rogue during the show? Let's give it a try.

Domino and Rogue friendship? Sounds interesting.

And, yeah…that's as close as I got to following this prompt. On the other hand, I have lots of interesting backstory that didn't fit in this piece. Maybe if there's interest I can write some more in this 'verse.

.

After three weeks of grey, cloudy drizzle, the sun made a welcome appearance, even though it brought with it the first true, cool crisp days of autumn. Rogue tilted her head back and luxuriated in the warmth on her bare face. Being this far north gave her far too few opportunities to revel in the unadulterated joy of clear blue skies and unobscured sunshine. So, she made certain to take advantage of every opportunity presented her. Especially on a day like today when there weren't any imminent battles on the agenda and the grand schemes didn't require immediate action. In any other circle, it would be known as a day off.

As if to prove her conjecture about a day off true, she hadn't donned her uniform this morning like she had every day since returning north. It felt glorious to be in civilian clothes again. Although her fingers chaffed at the need to wear gloves with the casual outfit. She jammed her hands into the pockets of her jacket to keep from doing something foolish—like taking her gloves off. More lives than hers depended on her maintaining discipline.

All too soon, Rogue reached her destination. Domino was waiting for her outside a trendy coffee shop with a bustling clientele. Though the shop was only a few blocks from the Brotherhood's headquarters, this was the first time Rogue had been here. Coffee shops weren't really Rogue's scene, but when Domino invited her out for a 'ladies day,' Rogue hadn't been able to turn down the invitation. She missed her friends.

"Rogue, you won't need these." Domino said in lieu of a proper greeting. She pinched the finger of Rogue's glove and gave it a tug.

With a heavy sigh, Rogue pulled her hand out of Domino's reach and tugged at the cuffs, securing the gloves back in place. "Dom, I appreciate your luck powers probably minimize my risk, but I ain't gonna chance an incident by entering a crowded shop without protection."

"Look," Domino kept her voice low enough that Rogue needed to lean to hear properly. The sniper placed a hand on Rogue's shoulder, in what appeared to be a friendly gesture. "I know I didn't exactly mention this when I invited you out, but this isn't exactly a social outing. We need you to do a job."

Rogue wasn't surprised. The two of them were friends—of a sort—though they were never the type to exactly hang out and do things which weren't pertinent to 'the mission.' So, to have this turn into a job, well, Rogue would be lying to say she wasn't expecting this twist. She sighed and flexed her fingers. "All right, who do ya want me to absorb?"

"I'll let you know once we're inside." Domino continued into the building. Stopping just past the threshold, she scanned the room before making a beeline for the counter. Rogue followed in her friend's shadow.

With a subtle glance over her shoulder, Domino whispered, "Take your gloves off now."

Peeling back the gloves, Rogue tugged her hands back into the sleeves of her cable knit sweater. Both women were dressed casually, though for Rogue, casual still meant covering more of her body than most people thought necessary to cover. She was once again thankful for the chill in the air—no one looked at her twice when she came dressed in layers.

"None of that," Domino admonished her before taking the final step up to the counter. She ordered a couple of elaborate couple drinks which would take a while to make. Clearly she was setting up a scenario she wanted to play out. Otherwise, Domino preferred to take her coffee black and strong.

With their order in process, Domino decidedly ushered Rogue towards a specific table near the front of the shop. She sat with her back toward the majority of the shop. An unusual position for Domino. Not, that Rogue would normally complain about the switch. She also liked sitting with a clear view of any possible threats and exits. It just wasn't likely that Domino was allowing her the preferred seating to be nice. No, she wanted someone to see Rogue.

"So, who's the target?" Rogue persisted. Unable to help herself, she ran thumbnail along the seems of her gloves. As per Domino's request, she wasn't wearing them, yet, whether wearing them or not, Rogue still found a modicum of comfort fidgeting with the gloves. She was pretty certain she knew who her intended victim would be. Which, would make things interesting.

Domino shifted so she could catch the reflection of the other side of the shop in the large plate glass windows. "Do you see the man sitting by the window on the other side of the shop? The one wearing a trench coat and the sunglasses?"

"Yeah, I see him." Rogue nodded as the line shifted forward. The new combination of people left a gap perfectly framing the one person Rogue was trying to avoid. A tall, lanky man sat by himself at a table for two. His long legs were stretched out under the table and he sipped from a tiny espresso cup. Keeping up the facade, he kept his gaze fixed on the newspaper spread out across the table.

"Good, now when he looks up, make eye contact with him and smile." Domino instructed. Rogue attempted to follow the instructions. The sniper groaned, "I said smile, not grimace. Look. That's Gambit. He's a renown ladies man and thief. We need his thieving skills."

"Then why not just ask him? Bet ya could hire him." It didn't take a genius to figure out what the Brotherhood wanted. Get Rogue to absorb Gambit. When she was in possession of his skills, use Rogue to steal something. Though, this was an awful lot of trouble to steal just an ordinary, run of the mill trinket. Which meant, it had to be important. Something for the cause.

Domino shook her head, momentarily brushing the back the section of hair obscuring the view of the dark circle around her eye. "We can't trust Gambit. He's a traitor to our kind. It's a well documented fact that he's worked for Senator Kelly and the MRD. His loyalty can be bought. But...if we use his weakness for the ladies against him, he'll never know what hit him."

Rogue sighed dramatically. "Ya know I hate it when you make me do this. You're not the one who has to live with the additional psyches rattling around your head."

"I know. And we—I—am thankful for your sacrifice. If there was any other way..." Domino trailed off.

"All right, but ya owe me." Rogue closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax. When she opened them, her expression had softened. A shy, almost timid smile tugged at her lips while her green eyes burned with a hint of mischievousness.

Finally, Gambit looked up from his reading and caught her gaze. At the sight of her, the searing red of his eyes flared from behind his sunglasses. He took of the glasses and tucked them into a pocket of his coat. There was a hungry gleam in his eyes. She bit her lip and lowered her gaze in a come hither invitation. He took his time setting his cup on the table, then folding his legs back towards his chair, and sitting straight. A smug smile tugged at his lips. Never losing eye contract with her target, Rogue gave a slight nod. Returning the nod, he began to fold his paper. As he stood, he brushed his fingers over one the myriad of hidden pockets in his jacket.

"What are you playing at?" Domino asked, only witnessing Rogue's side of the silent exchange.

"Ya wanted me to lure a ladies man, then I gotta flirt with him. A little hard to do from across the room, so I gotta play coy." Rogue rolled her eyes.

"Fine," Domino hissed under her breath. "Just remember the plan."

"Marie," the barista called as she set the two frothy, whipped cream topped, drinks on the counter.

"Why do you make me regret telling you my name?" Rogue huffed.

Domino smirked as she stood and headed for the counter. "We're trying to be discreet. Your name is easier to spell. And Marie is generic enough no one will remember it."

"Thanks," Rogue muttered under her breath. Just what she always wanted to be—generic and forgettable.

"You'll never be forgettable to me, ma chère." A rich, low voice interrupted her thoughts. Gambit stood beside the table. He carefully took her bare hand in his fully gloved one and covered her knuckles with his thumb. Bowing low over her hand, he gave her hand a squeeze while brushing his lips just over her hand without contacting her skin. His breath was warm and gentle as a caress. A shiver of thrill ran up her spine and she fought the urge to give into desire and throw herself at him. He smiled as he stood. "Remy LeBeau at your service, madame."

Rogue couldn't help but grin. It had been too long since she'd had the opportunity to flirt. If only she could let her guard down. "Why Mr. LeBeau, are ya trying to steal my heart?"

"It ain't stolen if it's given freely." He brushed the locks of white fringe which habitually fell in her eyes back behind her ears.

Her eyes flicked to Domino who was on her way back with the drinks. "Not sure Ah can trust ya."

Nodding, he withdrew his hand. "Well, mademoiselle, since you already appear t' have a drink, would you be willing to meet me for dinner? There is a pleasant little restaurant a couple of blocks from here. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is intimate."

"Hmm." Rogue cocked her head to the side while she appeared to consider her answer for a beat. Domino stopped a few steps behind Gambit and clearly out of his peripheral vision. She raised an eyebrow at Rogue, as if questioning her friend's play. Ignoring Domino, Rogue flashed a coquettish smile at Gambit. If she was going to do this, then she was going to do it her way. And, have some fun along the way.

"All right, sugah," Rogue drawled slowly. Her fingers played along the cuff of his jacket sleeve. "Dinner at six. Ah'll meet you there."

"It's a date." Gambit winked. "Au revoir, ma chère."

With that, Gambit was on his way, leaving Domino and Rogue alone with their drinks. Rogue scooped up her gloves and began putting them back on.

"You were suppose to absorb him, not agree to go on a date," Domino huffed.

"In case ya didn't notice, it's a little busy in here. How did you plan to explain a suddenly unconscious man in the middle of a coffee shop? I won't be any good for your—our—mission if the good folk here think I have something to do with the unconscious man in their midsts. Next thing you know, they'd be calling in the MaRDies and where will we be then?" Rogue gestured at the bustling business. "This way is more efficient. Dinner will be more private. Even better if I can convince him to have a few drinks. Even better if I convince him to take me somewhere private. He'll think he passed out from the wine and be none the wiser about my little theft. That's what you want, right?"

Domino nodded.

"Good. 'Cause don't think I don't recognize a member of the Thieve's Guild when I meet one. Who do ya think they'd come after when they realized someone stole from them?" Never breaking eye contact, Rogue took a long sip of her more cream and sugar than coffee drink.

Shifting uncomfortably in her chair, Domino finally looked away and played with the cardboard sleeve around her coffee cup. "You're right Rogue. Your plan is sound. It's less likely to cause a stir. I'm sorry about not telling you everything. We knew he was Guild. Just figured it would be less messy this way. The coffee shop is the only place we knew we could run into him without suspicion."

"Good. Now, next time don't leave me out of the planning." Rogue stood with her drink in hand. "Let's go I have a date to prepare for..."

At a quarter to six, Rogue sat at table inside the restaurant. She had convinced Domino that she was fully capable of doing her job and didn't need a chaperone. Reluctantly, Domino agreed. Gambit was crafty and could sense a set-up a mile away. The more it appeared to be an actual date, the less suspicious he'd be. Or, so the theory went. Rogue didn't care what excuse they bought, just as long as they didn't follow her. For the Brotherhood, this would simply be the next test of loyalty—to steal from a master thief without being caught. Thankfully, she had an ace up her sleeve.

"Tu est très belle, ma femme," Remy purred in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her and brushed a feather light kiss along her jawline. She hadn't heard him approach. Then again, she could never heard him unless he wanted her to.

"Remy!" Rogue grinned and slid out of the booth so she could fully embrace him. She lifted her face and nearly cried at the heated look in his eyes. It felt so good to be in his arms again. Pressing her body flush against his, she wished they were truly alone.

He dipped his head and caught her lips in a long, passionate kiss. A lot could change in the two years since she left the X-Men.

"I've missed you, mon coeur," he moaned when they finally parted. Taking a seat beside her in the booth, they poured over the menu together, even though they both already knew what they were going to order.

"Miss you too, swap rat." She snuggled against his side and reached over to tug the chain from where it was hidden under his shirt. His wedding band dangled from the loop and she wrapped her hand around it. The ring was warm from resting against his skin. She pressed a kiss to the band before tucking it back where it belonged—for now.

"You're wearing yours." He grinned. Echoing the ritual, he lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her ring before continuing on to pepper her knuckles with kisses.

"One of the benefits of gloves, swamp rat," Rogue giggled. She'd peeled off the opera length gloves the moment she sat down at the table. For the appearance of safety, she'd paired the long gloves with the sleeveless black dress she wore tonight. The dress had a fitted bodice with a neckline which dipped low enough to offer a generous glimpse of her cleavage. The skirt was long with slit which reached high up on her tight. Domino had nodded her approval at the choice while maintaining a safe distance from all the exposed skin. Remy's approval of her choice was much more tactile. "If I'm expecting a fight, the ring stays on the chain, but otherwise...I like wearing it."

"Good. I like seeing you wear it." He drifted into silence and leaned against Rogue. Waiting for the waitress to take their order, they made small talk and caught up on their day to day lives, while they simply reveled at being able to spend time in each other's presence.

Once they ordered their meals, Remy finally broached the excuse for their 'date.' "The Brotherhood wants you t' absorb my t'ieving skills?"

"Yeah. I mean, they don't know I'm a decent thief in my own right, and I'd rather it stay that way." Rogue interlaced her fingers with his. "They haven't told me what they're after yet, so I might need a bit of crash course to get the job done."

"And if you don't come back with my eyes, they might question if you really absorbed me." Remy ran his fingers along her bare skin, trying to infuse as much touch as possible in their stolen moments together. "How long do you think we have before they start t' get suspicious?"

"Well...I did suggest I might try getting you a bit drunk so you wouldn't question why ya passed out." Rogue reached for her glass of wine and allowed her hardened demeanor to slip back into place. "How was Ah supposed to know that Gambit ain't a lightweight?" She posed the question with such waspish ignition, that her impish smirk couldn't quite play down the sting—at least for those who didn't know her whole act was a ploy to misdirect the Brotherhood from the truth.

His laughter was a warm, robust sound. Under the cover of the table, he trailed his fingers along her legs and teased at the edge of her thigh-high silk stockings. The fire smoldering in his crimson eyes hinted at the fact he was undressing her in his mind. She didn't mind, after all, she was doing the same with him. "Je t'aime mon coeur. You are brilliant."

"I had a good teacher." She shivered at his touch and beamed at his praise. While the X-Men had expected her to use her absorption powers now and then, they mostly relied on her other, more violent abilities. It was during her time with the thieves that she learned a thing or two about how to put all her abilities to good use.

Remy leaned in and kissed her again like he couldn't seem to get enough of her. Which, was indeed the truth. "Come back t' the apartment with me. Please."

"Of course. After all, I did plant the idea I might allow ya to take me somewhere more private." Rogue closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder. With a plaintive sigh, she breathed out the question she hadn't dared ask when she'd seen him earlier in the day. "Have ya talked to Mercy recently? Do ya think we might be able to call her tonight?"

"Oui. I talked to her yesterday, but you know that she'd be more than happy to talk t' you at any time. Line's still secure." His fingers brushed along the length of her bare arm.

"How is she?" Rogue whispered, not needing to specify to her husband she wasn't asking about their sister-in-law.

"Our petite fille is doing as well as can be expected. The doctor says she's meetin' all the markers they've set for her." He held Rogue close and rocked slightly side to side.

Rogue nodded into his chest and allowed the tears she could not normally indulge to fall in stifled sobs. In the dimly lit restaurant, no one would notice the break in her facade. The Rogue the rest of the world knew wasn't a wife or mother. That Rogue had no reason to grieve or worry, so Rogue stored up her grief and buried it deep inside. She hid her pain behind a bitter, angry mask.

After the explosion had destroyed the school and the professor had disappeared, the X-Men had scattered. Rogue had no other place to call home and the only person she considered family had left her again without so much as a second thought. Uncertain where to go or what to do, she had made her way back south hoping to find something which might resemble home. When her travels took her to New Orleans, she'd found so much more than she had expected or hoped for. She found love and family and home.

She met Remy her second day in the city. Their courtship had been a whirlwind, but they saw no point in waiting when they both knew their would never be anyone else. The thieves accepted her into their fold. Among the LeBeaus, here was no distinction between mutant and non-mutant. If they considered you family, then you were family. And, they would do anything to protect you.

Likewise, Rogue would do anything for them. Loyalty to her new family came easy. During her time spent with the thieves, she learned the basics of their trade. And, when they showed they didn't fear her touch, she found it easier to learn the basics of control. Most of the time she could control her mutation, only absorbing when she wanted. Accidents still happened, but when they did, she was better at breaking her hold before things went too far.

When they were two months married, Rogue found herself pregnant. While they hadn't intended to be parents so quickly into their marriage, Rogue and Remy were ecstatic about the prospects. What they didn't expect was for their world to fall apart a few months later.

She was six months pregnant when the rest of the world broke into their safe haven. It had started with a car accident. A drunk driver had swerved into their lane and even with his enhanced reactions, Remy hadn't been able to avoid the collision. Her side of the car had received the brunt of the impact and she'd gone into labor. Their sweet Ellie had been born early. She was so tiny and precious. And, perfect in her parents' eyes.

Rogue and Remy had been in NICU with their daughter when the news from the outside world started to intrude into their bubble. The Mutant Registration Act was gathering momentum. Children—infants—with physical mutations were being logged.

Ellie, with her papa's eyes, was inevitably added to the list.

Unable to sit quietly and allow this to happen, Rogue and Gambit had called for the Guild's help. Plans progressed quickly. Ellie's name was wiped from the local records—the whole 'known-mutant' database was corrupted. But, the files had already been copied and sent beyond what they could manage from New Orleans. So, Gambit had gone north to the center of anti-mutant activity, trying to worm his way into the MRD's good graces before destroying them from within.

When her body had healed enough to travel, Rogue had followed. But, her mission was to infiltrate the Brotherhood and see what could be done from that angle. Even if Wolverine's abandonment didn't still sting, re-joining the X-Men hadn't been an option at that time, since there were no X-Men left to join. So far, things were proceeding according to plan. The deeper Rogue and Gambit got into their roles, the closer they got to their goals. Rogue couldn't wait for the day her family was back together again.

As her tears came to an end, Remy brushed the remaining tears from her cheeks with his thumb. "Our Ellie is doing well, mon coeur," his voice was thick with emotion and broke when he said their daughter's name.

She looked up into his beautiful crimson eyes. Tears gathered in the corners of his eyes and sparkled on his lashes. They fell silently along the stark lines of his face. With the corner of a cloth napkin, she wiped the tears away.

Loving Remy still overwhelmed her from time to time. She'd grown up thinking that no one would ever care for her, let alone love her. Her husband proved that notion wrong every day. Their love was a gift. He loved her faithfully, unconditionally, and with his whole heart. She'd never known love like that before. To be loved and love in return was one of the most amazing experiences in her life. It was a miracle for which she had no words. And, in her heart, she knew she provided the same faithful, unconditional, whole hearted love for Remy.

"No more tears, sug." Though she still felt the rough edges of her grief niggling away at her spirit, Rogue sat up and squared her shoulder. She pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips as she interlaced her fingers with his. "We have a free pass tonight and I want to spend it with my husband. We're going to flirt and banter and have a nice dinner. Afterwards, we're going back to the apartment and call our daughter. Then,"—Rogue ran her fingers along the inside of his thigh, making him moan—"my husband is going to make love to me for rest of the night."

"Oui, ma jolie femme, that sounds like the perfect plan." Desire and longing mingled with the remnants of his still potent grief, causing his words to come out in a resonant thrum which settled deep in the core of her being.

His long, dexterous fingers traced the swell of her lips. Her tongue flickered across his touch. With a slow sensuous smile, he leaned in close until they breathed the same air. She gripped his shoulder, her thumb pressing against the skin at the juncture where his shoulder and neck met. Cupping the back of her head, his fingers entangling in her hair. They met in a passionate, breath-stealing kiss which held a world of promise for their evening together.

When they broke apart, breathless and their passions running hot, Remy topped off their glasses of wine from the bottle left on the table. He clinked his glass against hers in a toast.

"We should probably make some more progress on this wine if we want to make your 'getting me drunk' story hold water." He brushed the rebellious lock of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering with the skin contact. With a low, sensuous whisper, he leaned in close, "Let's finish our dinner. Then, we can head back to the apartment for dessert."

Rogue's cheeks warmed with the wine and the double entendre. "Why, aren't ya just the sweetest sugah."

"Decadent, really," he assured her with a wink. "Shall we proceed according to plan?"

"Oui," Rogue replied with a flirtatious giggle.

For the rest of the evening and into the early morning hours, Rogue and Remy allowed themselves to slip back into their bubble. A world where they were simply husband and wife, and parents to the sweetest little girl in the world.

Tu est très belle, ma femme - You are very beautiful, my wife.

Ma jolie femme - my pretty wife

Je t'aime - I love you

Mon coeur - my heart

fille - daughter