5

Rogue had bickered with Gambit about driving his bike. Gambit had one upped her, saying it was his, after all. Rogue still enjoyed the ride back to the base though. She figured she'd have to pick a bike out now she was free. She did used to have one when she joined that biker gang for a short time, but her mamas' had forced her to give it up as they flew to their new location.

When they got back, Gambit's arm wrapped back around her waist.

This time, Rogue grabbed it and shoved it into his chest.

"I told ya not ta touch meh." She said.

"Didn't hear no complaints when we walked to moi bike." He shot back at her.

Rogue tsked, "Yes, ya did. Ya just ignored it."

"And you let me hold ya when you knew I was willin' ta take de risk. Same conditions apply here, non?" Gambit said, wrapping his arm back around her waist and pulling her into the base slightly. "Now come on. Your turnin' ta skin and bones before moi eyes. We gotta get some food in ya."

Rogue stopped and hit his hand away again.

"I don't need ya skirtin' 'round pretentin' ta give a damn." Rogue said, popping her hip out and folding her arms over her chest.

She had a feeling he was just using her at this point for something. He seemed like a cunning man what with how he'd played her before when it came to the basket ball game. Plus, he'd been following her. It definetly felt like there was more behind his actions than just looking out for her. It wasn't like Colossus who'd put his neck on the line for her before selflessly.

Gambit was starting to figure that the girl would turn to anger when she felt uncomfortable or threatened about something. He wondered what her reason was this time. She'd let him wrap an arm around her before. Why not now? Then it became obvious when he considered the setting difference and how she'd been trying to learn how to play basket ball to try and impress everyone in the base.

"Who's pretendin'?" Gambit asked, stepping closer to Rogue and wrapping two arms around her now. His challenging grin back on his face. Of course he didn't want to be absorbed and have her know all of his secrets. But, he had a feeling that her threat was an empty one.

"Besides," he said, "you better play nice with de cook if you wanna be feed, non?"

Rogue scoffed, "I can cook for maself just fine, thank you very much." Rogue said, elbowing Gambit in the gut.

Gambit stepped back then, grunting and holding his side.

Rogue shoved passed him and walked into the base. She couldn't believe the nerve of him. She was cursing herself for ever letting him hold her. She didn't know why she had allowed it. It had felt nice, but she had been stupid! She should have put the law down then and there. Now, Gambit thought he could touch her whenever and she was going to have to make it clear to him if she hadn't already that he was going to get hurt if he did try. She wasn't lieing either. One wrong move and he'd be dropped. Again, she still didn't want the blame even though she thought it would e a good way to prove a point to him. Maybe she should drop him. Make him back off. After all, having him pine after her and make it seem like he could do whatever he wanted with her was not alright. She'd look like a push over in front of the others if she did that. That was one thing she didn't want to come across as. She wasn't some stupid girl who could be walked all over by just a pretty face. No, she was the one who took down millionares and made them into nothing. Mystique, although she hadn't been the greatest mother, had taught her to have self respect and pride. She played men, not the other way around. And from all she was getting from the Cajun, she could tell he was the type who usefully flirted. He was used to being on top. To having his own way what with that charm of him.

Well, he was messing with the wrong girl.

She turned down one corridor, not completely sure where she was going.

She heard a snort come from behind her. "How you gonna do that when de kitchen be de other way, Cherie?" Gambit asked.

Rogue turned and glared at him. She then proceeded to walk the other way, dropping her gaze from the cajun's as she went to walk passed him. She noticed he wasn't making a move. But, as she passed him, she saw in the corner of her eye that he moved and felt his arm wrap around her waist again.

Rogue's arm shot out as she went to shove the Cajun back. He caught her arm though. He kept her moving as his hand moved down her jacket covered arm, to her gloved hand, took it and brought it to his lips as he kissed it. He wasn't too sure why he was teasing her. But she had started this by trying to flirt and mock him in front of everyone. She had to know that, when it came to flirting and being on top, he was the man at the top.

He felt Rogue pulled her hand away, blushing at that move she hadn't saw coming. It was old fashioned. Rather gentlemen like. She'd hardly met anyone who was a gentleman. Only read about them in the old world. She used her other hand to shove him away.

"I said back off swamp rat! What don't you get about that?" Rogue asked.

Gambit chuckled, "You said take de risk."

"I never said that!" Rogue snapped back, folding her arms over her chest.

"You threatened to drop moi if I touched you. Never said I couldn't try to now, did you?" Gambit said.

"Fine! You can't touch meh!" Rogue snapped back.

"Too late now Cherie. Besides, I think you like it." He said, snaking his arm smoothly back around her. "Would have laid me out by now if you didn't."

Rogue punched two fists against Gambit's chest, sending him back into a wall. As Gambit stumbled, Rogue shot off towards the kitchen, hoping she'd hurt him. She didn't need her mutant powers to make him hurt.

"Just stay away from meh swamp rat! I mean it!" Rogue snapped back at him.

"Really? 'cause de pet names be kind of confusin'. Almost like you still be flirtin'." Gambit said, speeding up to catch up to her.

Rogue sighed inwardly. She knew she shouldn't have been so forwards last night. Now it was coming to bite her back in the arse. Why couldn't she have just resisted the urge?

The two reached the kitchen, Rogue still in the lead.

The kitchen opened up to a dinning area where she noticed Pyro and Colossus were there. Pyro had been sat down and Colossus just entering.

As Pyro saw Gambit, he shot up.

"There you are mate! Where the heck have you been? I'm bloody starvin'!" he said.

Rogue went to move away from the hallway, but she felt the arm around her waist before she could.

"Oh," Pyro said, "Entertaining the Shelia, ah mate?" Pyro asked, starting to laugh.

Rogue went to elbow Gambit in the gut, but he saw it coming. He reached out and blocked her elbow. What he wasn't expecting was for Rogue to grab that arm he used to block her elbow with both her hands and toss him over her shoulder and to the ground.

Pyro threw his head back and laughed like a mad man.

"Don't-don't think she likes that mate." He managed to get out.

Rogue went to pull her arms back, but Gambit kept hold of one as he glanced up at her.

"Now, I know you like to be on top, Cherie, but we be in public now, non?" Gambit said, smirking and making sure he said that loud enough for the room to hear.

He watched Rogue's eyes grow wide. Rogue growled at him, then proceeded to stomp on his chest and move away from the corridor entrance. She felt pleased when she heard him grunt underneath her foot.

"Like I said swamp rat. I decide who I touch and who touches meh. Try touchin' meh again without ma say so and I'll be sure to break that arm of yours." Rogue said loud enough for the room to hear as she walked into it.

She knew she could have denied what Gambit was implying, but she was sure it would just make her look bad. Like some quaking, uncapable girl. The way Pyro had implied that he had been entertaining her as well, made Rogue think that Gambit definetly did have a reputation himself for being a ladies man and flirt. Well, she was about to ruin that rep for him. And the best way she knew how to do it was to embarris him back.

Gambit got to his feet and moved further into the room. He was plotting. Plotting how to play the belle at her own game. He grinned wickedly to himself as he chased after her and swooped her up off her feet into his arms. He heard her cry out in surprise and his smile only grew as he glanced down into those wide, emerald eyes.

"Come on now Cherie. I know how you love bein' sweep up off your feet really." He said, winking at her.

He excepted her to hit his chest or use her arms so how. He was ready to move the arm around her back and pin her arms to her chest. What he didn't expect was her legs to kick up and wrap around his neck and toss him down. Gambit flipped, dropping his hold on Rogue as he did, but she landed on his chest as his back meet the cold metal. Pain shot through his back, making his mind go blank for a second.

Rogue began to move on top of him. She was rather proud of that move, but she still didn't like this. She might have to go through with breaking the cajun's arm after all. If she didn't, no one might take her seriously. She knew she was going to get in trouble, but would that trouble be worse than proving she wasn't to be messed with? She didn't think so.

Rogue moved to grab Gambit's arm. What she didn't expect was Gambit's legs to come up and around her neck. She thought she had longer than his recovery time to do what she needed, but apparently not. She definetly acknowledged that Gambit was a trained fighter as her back hit the metal floor.

She felt Gambit move under her and sit up. She saw him above her. He was going for her arms, trying to pin her where she was and trap her legs at the same time. But she wouldn't let him. Rogue kicked her leg up and at his head. Gambit moved his head, dodging, but his head was never her aim. Rogue used the momentum of her leg to twist and kick herself up off the ground.

When she did come to stand up straight, she saw that Gambit was back up on his feet too.

Before either of them could make another move, however, the ground benief them both moved and twisted. Both southerns almost tripped if it wasn't for the metal snakes that shot up out of the ground and around their bodies. Their arms became trapped and their feet were lifted from the ground.

"That's enough!" Magneto snapped as he entered the dinning room with Sabretooth by his side. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded to know.

Gambit saw the anger behind his boss' face. He swore in his head. Magneto angry was never a good thing. Especially when that anger was because of him.

"We just be playin', ain't we, Cherie?" Gambit said, eyeing Rogue, hoping she'd play along.

"If ya mean fun, then yeah, I consider breakin' ya arm fun!" Rogue snapped back.

"I said enough! Both of you are acting like children. If you insist on acting like children then you will be treated as such." Magneto said.

With that, Rogue saw Gambit shot down the corridor they came. She watched him go, wondering what that punishment for fighting might be now. Was her tassel with him really worth it?

Rogue soon found herself being forced through the corridor that Magneto had come from. Magneto was hovering in front of her as he lead the way. Rogue was sure she could get out of Magneto's hold, but she didn't fight him just yet. She waited. She wasn't too sure what was coming and she thought to reserve her abilities to fight him off when she could. She just hoped she wouldn't be backed too far into a corner that she would regret not acting sooner.

Rogue began to reckongise the corridor as the one to her bedroom. Magneto opened her bedroom door and throw her in it. Rogue landed hard on her bedroom floor as he did. She got back up to her feet and turned to face Magneto who was speaking to her.

"You will remain in your room until you calm down. Once you have, you will apologise to Gambit for attacking him." He said.

"Attacking him? I told him not ta touch me or I'd break his arm! It's his fault! He shouldn't have-" Rogue said, knowing she sounded like a child, but she wasn't sure what else to say or do.

"That's enough! I will not deal with children. Are you a child, Rogue?" Magneto asked.

Rogue bit her tongue, holding back her anger. She could continue to argue with him, but then she would prove him right on being a child. She could try reasoning with him, but then she might look pathetic. Whichever way she turned, she had shown herself up and there was no way out of that now. She decided to say less.

"No," Rogue gritted out.

"Then stay here and calm yourself. You will get a chance to explain yourself later. But for now, you will think about your actions. When I told you to become familiar with the Apoclte, I did not mean in this way. You will have plenty of chances to fight against them in your training. But outside of that training, you will not fight each other. You will think about how your actions affect us all negatively and then apologise whether you believe you are in the wrong or not to keep the peace."

Then, Magneto slammed the door shut on Rogue who now found herself locked in her room once more. She hated it and he knew it. Rogue jumped and ran to her door, but he'd taken the door handle away and the door seemed to fade into the rest of the wall.

"No!" Rogue screamed as she banged on her door.

He'd said he wouldn't do this. Wouldn't lock her in. But here she was, trapped again. She thought there was a chance of her escaping. Emma could her herself to crystal. Maybe she could use that to bust her way out. But then… if she tired herself out only trying to get out of her room, where would that leave her when it came to escape Magneto.

Eventually, Rogue slide down her door, coming to hold her face in her hands. She'd moved from one psycho to another.

Xxxxx

Gambit stood up as he heard his door open. Magneto entered.

"What do you think you are doing?" he demanded to know.

Gambit grimaced. He knew as soon as their flirting esculated that he was in trouble. He just didn't know how much.

"We were just messin' around." Gambit repeated.

"Your supposed to be keeping an eye on her! Not fighting her. I have lost many valuble contects to keep her. I do not need your insolence ruining my chances at swaying the girl over to my side, do I make myself clear?" Magneto roared.

"Crystal." Gambit muttered, but loud enough to be heard.

Magneto sighed, "What happened to have it escalate to violence?" he asked.

"It weren't violence." Gambit tried to say.

"She was threatening to break your arm! She is the daughter of Mystique. Do you not think she did not mean what she said? Are you really that nieve?" Magneto snapped.

"She might be Mystique's daughter, but she ain't her. Trust me, she weren't gonna hurt me." Gambit said.

"There are very few people I trust!" Magneto said.

"But you trust me to get the job done, non?" Gambit came back with, crossing his arms over his chest. He was feeling pretty confident now.

"You really don't believe she would have hurt you?" Magneto asked.

"She had plenty of chances. She was just trying to prove a point. I doubt she would have done much damage." Gambit said.

"You doubt, but you do not know. She said you kept touching her. Are you unaware that the girl cannot control her abilities?" Magneto asked.

He wasn't. But Gambit was skilled at poker and kept his face neutral.

"De girl is cravin' touch. Don't you see that?" Gambit asked, realising he may have gone too far with his last statement.

"I see perfectly well that she does not wish to be touched. You should follow her wishes." Magneto said.

"Non, see, dat's de thing. De girl's been livin' in isolation for most of her life. She wanted to escape Mystique to feel normal, non? That includes bein' touched. De fille was fine with me wrappin' my arm around her on de way back here. She just became shy when we got back here." Gambit said.

Magneto snorted, "She was anything but shy."

"Non, she thinks she gotta be all tough 'cause that's what Mystique taught her. Really, behind dat tough exterior, she's just a girl who wants ta be loved. Have a family that cares for her. Go to school. All that kind of stuff that Mystique didn't give her." Gambit said.

"And you believe you can give her that? Love?" Magneto said, almost snarling the word.

"Doesn't have to be love. Just a place she feels wanted and not just for her powers. You give her a place like that, trust me, de girl won't be goin' no where any time soon." Gambit said, realising that, although he knew what he was talking about, Magneto wasn't the sentimental type. He knew he was most definetly fighting a losing battle, but he had to make the man understand that he was doing his job. He was keeping his eye on the girl and he was making sure she came back. He just found the reason to make sure she came back.

Magneto turned his head away, looking thoughtfully to the ground.

"Where did she go today?" Magneto asked.

"Basket ball court, down in Bayville." Gambit said.

"Why? Colossus built one here." Magneto asked, rather confused.

Gambit tried not to snort. "She saw use playin' a game and wanted to know how to play."

"You didn't invite her to a game?" Magneto said.

"Oui, 'course we did. But de fille cares what we think of her. She went into town to find someone she could steal the skills off." Gambit said.

"And she found someone?" he asked.

"Oui," Gambit said.

"The body? Where-" Magneto began to ask.

"I took care of it. Ain't no one's gonna know 'bout us." Gambit said.

He was actually wondering if he was saying too much, but if he held back too much information, Magnto would know. He knew how good of a thief he was after all. Intel gathering was nothing to him. After all, most of the information Rogue was reading earlier was a lot of his work.

"I don't understand why-"

"She wanted to impress us. Like I said, she cares. Might not act like it, but she does. I think she wants dis to work more than any of us." Gambit said.

"Hmmmm," Magneto thought. Gambit was usually right on the money. If what he told him was true, then there was a very good chance that his sacrifices were worth it. That was, if the girl became more compliant and was capable of what he thought she was.

"You are to stay away from her within the base grounds. If she does not want to be touched, then you do not touch her." Magneto said.

"Like I said, she does." Gambit said.

"But not in front of others." Magneto said, putting two and two together. "If she wishes to be touched without an audience then you can hold her when there is no one around. But Gambit, she is not another conquest for you. She is a pricey investment. If you do anything to damage that investment, I will make sure you regret it. Am I understood?"

"Completely." Gambit said.

"Good," Magneto said, starting to turn away.

"Where is she anyhow?" Gambit asked, regretting his question at the look Magneto shot him.

"I have left her in her room to calm down. Once she has relieved herself of her anger towards you, she can come out." Magneto said.

Gambit nodded, looking down and away. He figured Rogue would hate that. She'd been trapped for years by Mystique. Being locked in her room, unsure when she'd be free must have been killing her. But he'd just gotten off easy. He didn't need to start an argument now on how locking Rogue up would only make his job harder in making her trust them and stay with them willingly.

"I believe the others are waiting for their dinner. Go." Magneto said.

Gambit swallowed, but he had to ask. "And Rogue?"

"If she continues to attack her door, then she will go without food." Magneto said.

"But she ain't eaten all day." Gambit said.

"Then she should have thought about that before she let her rage control her actions." Magneto said.

Gambit scratched the back of his head, feeling guilty. He'd only been playing with her earlier. They were having fun at first. He knew she was becoming more and more angry at him for trying to break down those walls she was throwing up, especially with how much he was pushing, but he couldn't help himself. She was a mental and physical game. Flirting with him one minute, mad the next, then letting him make a move, then shutting him out. She was a challenge and by far one of the most interesting girls he'd ever met. He just couldn't stop himself from trying to gain the last word against her.

But… he didn't want her punished. He knew he was mostly to blame for Rogue's rage and that he was getting off free while she was being punished, but… he didn't think he could bring himself to admit that he might have pushed Rogue too far and been in the wrong. If he did, then either of them would be in Magneto's good books and they'd both struggle. What they were doing seemed harmless to him. Why should he place himself in a position to be punished when it was just harmless flirting and toy fighting?

He kept quiet and left for the kitchen.

Xxxxxx

Pyro had gone on and on about how the Shelia had him beat. Gambit had ignored Pyro most of the time, focusing on the food. He shot back a few quick words every now and again at Pyro, but they seemed to go over his head or he'd make something stupid up out of them.

Colosuss had sat there in silence as he waited patiently for his food. This was nothing new to the two men who had known him a while. Colossus was normally quiet and distant.

But, as he sat there, he pondered deeply over what had happened to Rogue. He knew Gambit's type and he had seen Rogue's frustration at the man. He was kicking himself for not stepping in sooner.

"Hey, what do you think of all of this? She be one interesting Shelia, right mate?" Pyro asked Colossus, using his elbow to nudge the man.

Colossus turned to eye Pryo, glaring at him almost. Pyro backed off. Now, the Russian turned to eye Gambit.

"She is a troubled girl. I do not believe she should be pushed so harsh." Colossus said, glaring at Gambit.

Gambit had meet Colossus' eyes, then turned away.

"Awww, you're soft on the Shelia, aren't ya?" Pyro cooned. "Is it because she asked ya to protect her? She plea to that softy side of your?"

"I believe she is being punished unfairly. Both of you were to blame, yet, she screams from the room she is locked in while the other walks around, freely." Colossus said, still watching Gambit.

Gambit felt a wave of frustration hit him. He knew that emotion was coming from Colossus. He was a righteous and a noble one. Gambit began to feel a bit more guilty about his actions now hearing the Russian speak aloud what he'd been thinking before.

"If your so set against it mate, why ain't you said anything to the bucket head?" Pyro asked.

"We all know that nothing would change. Only make things worse. She already may go without a meal tonight. Who knows what else that monster may put her through." Colossus said.

The three fell silence. Gambit began to put the food out on plates and pass it around.

"Well, this is a chipper conversation, ain't it? First real day living with the Rogue and, already, she's turned the place upside down." Pyro said, laughing a little.

He shut up instantly as he noticed Magneto coming in through the hallway. Gambit had eyed Pyro then looked towards the corridor and Pyro had known then what was happening. He sat up straighter and joined the Russian in being silent.

"Colossus, you will deliever Rogue's meal to her room. She will eat their for the night." He said as he reached his hand up in the air and a plate of food came toward him.

Magneto left the room. Colossus stood up and went towards the kitchen. Gambit set about placing Rogue's food on a tray and added a glass of water on there too.

"Hold up." Gambit said as Colossus reached for the tray.

Gambit went towards his trench coat that was hanging on the back of a card and pulled out one of his cards. He also pulled out a black sharpe and began writing on the card.

"Sendin' ya Shelia a little love letter, ay mate?" Pyro said, his face already full of food.

Gambit ignored Pyro and went to place the card on the tray. Colossus grabbed Gambit's wrist though. This almost shocked him.

"You have written nothing to upset her?" Colossus asked.

"Never was my intention." Gambit replied, eyeing the Russian dangerously.

He'd never seen this side to the Russian before. Colossus had always been the quiet type, not voicing his oppion much. But tonight, he'd said quite a bit and was even eyeing Gambit dangerously. Over Rogue? This confused the man. He knew Colossus was uncomfortable with her yesterday. He wondered why he was acting so caring towards her now? Colossus dropped Gambit's wrist and he proceeded to place the card on the tray, the words facing down.

"If what you have written does upset her, I will not hesitate to inform Magneto of your actions." Colossus said.

Gambit lifted his hands up in the air to show he was unharmed.

Colossus began to move away and towards Rogue's room.

"Well, that was an interesting development, hay?" Pyro said, eyeing the big man who left the dinning room. "Never guessed he'd start carin' for the Shelia. Seemed he didn't like her much the last time they spoke."

Gambit eyed Pyro, his red iris' flashing. Pyro stood up with his plate.

"Oh, I forgot! The new Crocodile Dun Dee film is on. See ya." Pyro said, fleeing the room.

Gambit stood on his own in the dining room, not too thrilled with the results from the day.

Xxxxx

Rogue was lay on her bed when she heard the clanking of foot steps. She didn't move from where she lay though.

That was until she heard the clanking stop in front of her door. Rogue lifted her head as she heard metal clanking against her door. She watched as a door formed in the metal and opened to reveal Colossus on the other side. His hand was part metal and transferring back to skin. His face looked sober as he stared into her room. Rogue noticed the tray of food in his hand.

"May I come in?" He asked.

Rogue shrugged, then lay back down. "Doesn't seem like I got much of a say of things, does it?"

"I do not wish to be rude." The Russian said.

Rogue snorted, then sat up fully on her bed. She nodded her head, finding that she didn't want to be rude or mean to the Russian who was trying to be nice to her. Colossus entered her room and walked towards her bed, the tray still in hand.

"Is that for me?" Rogue asked, eyeing the food. She was starving.

He nodded, "I believe that you will need to eat something for tomorrow's training. It can be most tiring even on a full stomach." Colossus said.

Rogue smirked at the Russian. There he was, being kind to her again. He stood tall, but his attitude was much like that of the shy boy she'd kissed earlier.

"Why are ya bein' nice ta meh?" Rogue suddenly asked, surprising herself.

There was just something about men being nice to her for seemingly no reason that she just didn't understand. She'd only meet a few of them. Most men always wanted something from her. But, as she glanced briefly into his mind, as she could read was that he felt bad for her.

"You are not my enemy." Colossus said.

"Just cause ya ain't ma enemy doesn't mean ya had ta bring meh a meal. The others didn't." Rogue said.

"I was told to." Colossus said, looking away.

"Why do I think ya woulda brought it ta meh anyway? Well, that is, if ya coulda got through the door without Mags help." Rogue asked.

"It is not right that you be denied food while others eat." Colossus said.

Rogue tilted her head as she eyed the man. So, he was being nice to her to forfil some sort of moral values. A bit like Magneto doing what he thought would get the job done for his cause. She could understand that a bit better. But she still didn't understand what he got out of it.

Rogue thought for a moment though about how he'd said others. Her face dropped.

"Is Gambit eatin'?" Rogue asked.

Colossus eyed her slightly and she had her answer. Frustrated Rogue stood from her bed.

"This ain't fair! I didn't even do nothin'! Nothin' that that swamp rat didn't deserve anyway." Rogue snapped.

Colossus placed her tray down on top of a draw, then turned to her.

"I do not believe so." Colossus said.

Rogue folded her arms and pursed her lips. "You don't think I was wrong? Feels like everyone else does."

"Gambit can be a handful. He is sneaky in most things and rather hard to keep track off. My advice would be to try and stay away from him. He is also known to have a bit of a reputation." Colossus said.

Rogue raised her eyebrow at the information Colossus was giving her. Why was he telling her this information so freely? Or was he after stirring trouble for the Cajun? If so, why? Was there some sort of history there between them?

Rogue reached out and read the top of Colossus' thoughts. What he was saying he believed. There was quick glimps of Gambit sneaking out of the base and not coming back till the next morning. He had smelled of women's perfume and everyone else in the base knew of his antics with women. Colossus didn't approve of what Gambit was doing, but he had not really had much of an issue with it until he saw how pushy he had been with her when she had told him no.

Rogue deleved a bit deeper and read brief thoughts he had on her. He still thought of her as a bit of a troublesome girl, but only because he believed she had not been shown much kindness. He thought, however, she was not that bad because of when she approached him before and was trying to be nice. He thought that she simply needed a friend. Someone to be nice to her. But he didn't want to get too close to her or anyone in this base. He had a deeper reason for being there.

Rogue left his mind, feeling that she didn't want to pry too much. She wasn't too sure why. Ever after she'd gotten Emma's ability, she'd had no problems just reading a guy's mind and finding out what was on their mind. It tired her out, but it saved her from having to use more of her head space.

But, with him, she felt… well, she didn't know what she felt. All she had wanted to know was whether she could trust his words or not and from what she had observed in his mind, she could. She didn't want to fish around in his mind and go fishing for too long and risk getting caught. Hearing his thoughts about her and about possibly wanting to reach out to her and be her friend… well, she'd never read or absorbed anyone who had those intentions. At least, they always wanted something more from her.

Rogue looked down at her feet, feeling the anger at the Cajun being able to walk around scott free slipping when Colossus' thoughts in her head. She felt a little uneasy about what she wanted to say, but she said it: "Oh, I was plannin' on it… Thank you for the advice."

Colossus let a small smile grace his lips and nodded his head.

"You are welcome." He said.

He began to walk towards the door.

"Do you really have ta leave so soon?" Rogue asked.

Colossus turned to look at her over his shoulder.

"My dinner will become cold." He said.

Rogue nodded, her face turning red suddenly as her eyes darted anywhere but at Colossus. She'd never talked to a man like that before. She wasn't used to being nice. Just flirtaous. Rogue tried to pull her shields up to save whatever face she had.

"Right, that and Mags would be down your throat. Thanks for the food sugar." Rogue said, smirking and winking at Colossus.

Colossus blushed and left. The door sealed shut and locked behind him. Rogue sighed then moved to her dinner. She noticed the card on the tray. She lifted it up and saw that it had writing on the other side. The words read sorry.

Rogue snorted, guessing who that was from. She then proceeded to rip up the card and throw it in the bin. It felt more like mockery than a genuine apology.