"So, Gambit, tell me more about the incident at the club." Professor Xavier regarded Gambit calmly, hands tented in front of him. "You said there were three men."

"Two for muscle. The little one was in charge. One of the others called him Dane."

"First or last name?"

"Don' know. He not after her for himself. He pickin' her up on someone else's orders."

"And you say they knew about her powers?"

"Dey were wearin' gloves and long sleeves. Dey real careful not to let Rogue get close enough to touch."
"Did they exhibit any evidence of being mutants themselves?"

"Non. All three were carryin' guns – didn't use any powers dat I could tell."

"Hmn. Is there a chance they were looking to harass just any mutant? Or one from the school?"

"Don' t'ink so. Dey wanted de Rogue. Said it was jus' business. He said he didn' mind hurtin' her," His hands flexed involuntarily. "But he wanted her alive. I don' think they expected her t' put up much of a fight."

"We're indebted to you for coming to her aid."

Gambit shrugged eloquently. "I don' like seein' any fille treated dat way. Woulda' done it for anyone."

Xavier doubted that. "Nevertheless, we're grateful. I'm sure you're aware that Rogue has not had an easy time of it lately."

He nodded, biding his time. It was clear that the Professor was getting around to something.

"Did she…discuss any of it with you?"

"No offense, Professor – if she did, I ain't gonna tell you 'bout it."

Xavier nodded, unsurprised. The man – a boy, really, probably barely 21 – was loyal to Rogue. He had suspected as much. "I understand. And I'm sure Rogue appreciates that."

"Dat girl not always as appreciative as she could be." Gambit said darkly.

Xavier allowed himself a small smile. "Dealing with Rogue can be a challenge, I admit." And he had the distinct feeling that Gambit was more than up to the challenge. "I'll be frank. I'm concerned about her well being. She seems to be spiraling out of control, and the fact that someone is interested enough in her abilities to stage such a brazen attempt…it is worrisome."

"De mansion seems pretty secure." Not enough to keep him out, of course, but few places were.

"It is. But it's only secure if she is willing to stay, and I'm not certain that she is." He watched Gambit. It was a sort of poker game, he realized. Gambit wouldn't tip his hand – wouldn't acknowledge his interest in the girl – until Xavier folded and asked for his help. "She seems to have forged some sort of connection with you. Cyclops said she was quick to defend you when the X-Men arrived this morning."

"Well, she asked Wolfie not to skewer me, if dat's what you mean."

"I do." Xavier changed subjects abruptly. "Are you certain that you've severed ties with Magneto and the Acolytes?"

"Well, ol' Bucket Head seem to be dead, so I'd say dat's pretty severed. B'sides, like I told les filles on de plane. Dat was contract work. Contract's over." Xavier attempted to probe Gambit's mind – the boy's mental shields were impressive, but he saw enough to confirm what he had said.

"And if I were to offer you another contract?"

He looked at the professor suspiciously. "What 'zactly would I be doin'?"

"Befriending Rogue," he said simply. "She needs someone she can open up to without fear of judgment. She clearly doesn't feel that's possible with anyone here at the Institute. Until Rogue can trust someone in that way, I fear that she will not heal, emotionally or psychologically. And that puts her at risk."

Gambit's eyes narrowed. "And payin' me to be her friend…you t'ink dat's gonna inspire trust?" He shook his head in thinly veiled disgust. "What's that gonna do to Rogue when she finds out?"

"I would prefer that she didn't find out," the professor conceded, watching Gambit closely. "I would prefer not to be in this position at all. But Rogue's welfare is the priority, and I feel that in this case, the end may well justify the means."

That had always been Gambit's philosophy – do what you have to do in order to get what you want. And the challenge of getting closer to Rogue was undeniably appealing. But something about the offer on the table left a sour taste in his mouth. He looked at the professor, keeping his face unreadable.

"I ain't joinin' de X-Men."

"I'm not extending that invitation." Yet.

"An' I ain't wearin any dumb-ass uniform."

"As you're not a member of the team, I hadn't considered it." The corner of Xavier's mouth twitched.

"I ain't trainin' wit' dem."
"That's up to you. The facilities here would be at your disposal, with a few exceptions – security precautions, you see."

"I ain't gonna hang out here all the time."

"You may come and go as you please, though I think you'll have an easier time gaining Rogue's trust if the two of you interact frequently."

Trust, Remy thought bitterly, and remembered Rogue crying herself to sleep in his arms. Looking up at him with those astonishing eyes. Jumping in front of Cyclops' energy beam to protect him, despite her injuries. Taking the job would mean betraying all of that, he knew, whether she found out or not.

"Non."

"Excuse me?"

"Non. I ain't doin' it."

"Ah. May I ask why not? It would be a business arrangement – a well-paying one – just as you had with Magneto."

"I don' need de money. An' I'm done bein' somebody's thug."

"I'm not asking you to be a thug, Gambit. I'm simply asking you to befriend a girl. One it seems that you are already friendly with."

"That's not what you're asking. You're asking me to lie to Rogue so you can keep her here. Dat seems kinda like a thug to me."

"It's to keep her safe."

"It's to keep her under control! And she's had enough of other people controlling her life." He shoved back from the desk, began to pace.

Xavier was silent for a long moment. "You won't stay then? Even for Rogue's sake?" It was a risk, he knew, dangling Rogue's name like that in front of the agitated boy, but one he needed to take.

Gambit thought of the Dane, firing the gun mere inches from her. Of Rogue's lifeless body on the floor of the club, and how light she was when he had picked her up and ran out. Of the nightmares she had woken from, screaming so loud the devil himself was probably scared. The girl was clearly a mess – in trouble and not looking to leave it anytime soon.

"De fille be under Gambit's protection now."

"Truth's important t'me."

"Ah ain't most girls."

"You blamin' yourself for the end of the world."

Gambit swore under his breath. "I'll stay. For her, not for a damn paycheck." The view outside the window was of impossibly green hills, and he studied them for a moment. "An' I'm not pleadin' your case to her. If she wants to go, I'll help her do it."

Xavier nodded. "I understand. I'd expect nothing less."

"It ain't 'bout what you expect. It's about bein' her friend."

"I understand," he repeated. "Thank you, Remy. I'll get Jean to show you to your quarters."

It was only after Jean had given him a quick tour and dropped him off outside his room that Remy realized exactly how the Professor had outmaneuvered him. Not only was Remy staying, but he had as much as told the man his feelings for Rogue. He had to hand it to Xavier. The man knew how to bluff.

A/N

Happy birthday, Ishandahalf. Hope you like the present.

I know I'm not doing review responses today -- my mother-in-law is visiting for both the southern boy's and my birthdays, so time is of the essence. I promise, lots of responses with the next chapter.