Disclaimer: Again, I don't own the X-men, I don't gain anything from this other than entertainment. Hopefully, you feel the same way. . Enjoy, it's another prompt for the challenge. 2/50

Rainstorm

Remy did actually get his date with Rogue, which pleased him to no end, though the two will be allowed at least an illusion of privacy. It was after dinner at the nice little Mexican place that things got a bit more interesting.

They'd parked rather far from the small restaurant, having given themselves the chance to walk and talk for a little while before sitting down for their meal, and though it had been a good idea at the time, neither seemed terribly fond of it when they were leaving. They'd ended up catching the beginning of a rather large thunderstorm, and Rogue was invincible, not waterproof. Remy sighed, aware of his gentlemanly duty, and offered her a shrug and a smile. "Be back in jus' a few, chere."

"Where do you think you are going, swamp rat? Abandoning me already?" she asked, giving him the sassy sort of look he usually liked, but wasn't so sure about here. Something about this woman just seemed to completely overturn all of his rules regarding the fairer gender, and he found himself at a bit of a loss. Abandoning her? He was just going to get the car!

"Rogue. Ah'm jus' gonna get de car. You can wait here so you don' get soaked," he explained, looking just a little wary, like perhaps he was trying to predict her response and failing. That was good, just the way she liked it.

"What makes you think ah'm gonna let you have all da fun out there, huh?" she demanded, finally letting a wicked little smile sneak past the purposely sharp look she'd been giving him. His reaction was well worth it. "Come on, sugah! Live a little!"

With no further warning, she grabbed his wrist in her gloved hand and gave him a gentle tug that he KNEW was gentle because he'd seen her tear the arms off of sentinels in the danger room. He was glad she liked his arm attached to his body and his feet on the ground. And that she liked the rain. That much was clear instantly, as she tugged him along the path they'd taken through the park, rather than over the more direct route covered by sidewalks. He wasn't complaining. He'd done enough jobs in the pouring rain that this was more than welcome, rain or no. He was a bit curious at the sudden storm, since the weather had said that it was supposed to be a clear night, but this was a nice enough turn of events that he didn't care.

"Oh, don' you just love the rain, Remy?" she asked, sounding like she truly was enjoying herself. She'd raised her face to the sky, smiling and letting the water was over her cheeks and through her hair. He thought she was beautiful. "It's like startin' ovah, in a way. Everythin' gets washed away to start again when da clouds clear."

"Oui, chere, ah've always liked de rain," he agreed, smiling at her and shifting so that they held hands instead of her clutching his wrist. He wasn't going to attempt escape or anything funny, so she needn't worry. He was more than happy right where he was. "Ah've always seen it as bein' more personal den dat, really. It blocks out all de souns, so it's jus you an' de rain, like stoppin' for jus' a few t'let your lady know de way o' t'ings. Jus' you an' her. Dat's how it should always be."

"That's not how it always is, though," she pointed out, looking at him a bit more seriously. This was what worried her about him, that he'd get too close, and then what would she do? She found that she was liking him, almost against her will, and anyone with a few brain cells could tell that wasn't a good idea. She couldn't touch him, couldn't give him what she knew he was going to want without hurting him, and how long would he tolerate that? How long would it be before he left because of that?

"Dat's how it can be, mon cherie. You jus' ain't found de righ' man." When he said it, he meant it.

"You ain't gonna be happy wit' this, Remy. Not forevah, we both know it, why can't you admit it?"

"Let me decide? Ah ain't gonna hurt you, Rogue."

"So you say now."

He sighed, raising her hand to his mouth and kissing her gloved knuckles as he laid his eyes upon her face. The rain was still sliding down her cheeks almost like tears that lacked the heartache. No, she had that locked away inside her still, waiting until it forced its way to the surface, which was something he hoped he could prevent. He didn't want to hurt her, but he wasn't perfect. He had other wants as well, and besides not hurting her, he wanted her. He couldn't sleep with her, that he knew, but he still wanted her. He wanted her laughter, her devilish smiles and winks, her sassy retorts to his teasing and compliments, and he even wanted that careful look she was giving him as the raindrops kissed their way down the skin he couldn't touch. The way the light hit those droplets was almost magical, but it was nothing in comparison to the life in those emerald eyes and the feel of her warm hand in his. Even with the glove. He'd take it.

"Ah ain't gonna hurt you. Ah know what ah'm gettin' int' here, an' ah'm willin'." As though to reassure her, he leaned forward, holding her hand firmly to discourage her backing off. He planted a chaste kiss on her cheek, where a lock of her hair had stuck to the skin. No direct contact.

"You're wrong."

"We'll see."

And so, apparently, they would. She didn't protest when he slid an arm around her shoulders, their clothing keeping them both safe, nor did she complain when he again kissed her gloved hand as he bid her goodnight in front of the stairs. Instead, Rogue smiled and thanked him for the night before turning to her dorm. She had a lot to think over, and be happy about. Remy felt the same, but he'd seen a familiar figure slip past into the kitchen.

"You know, dere were supposed t'be clear skies t'nigh', Stormy."

"Really, Remy? I hadn't watched the forecast. How did everything go?" she asked, turning at his words and smiling. Storm had quite the poker face, he had to admit.

"Nice. Ah didn' know Rogue liked de rain."

"Oh? I think I'd heard her mention it once or twice before."

"Ah appreciate it, den."

"You're quite welcome. Good luck."

"Merci. Good night."