8
The next day, Rogue woke up extremely early. She went to have a quick shower, but realised she was still hairy from absorbing Sabretooth, so she spent an hour or so shaving all of her body. She quickly dressed for school, but knew she was already running late. She dressed in her green top and jeans. She didn't really have much else to wear. She grabbed the bag Gambit had left for her and began heading out. She went the way she had gone the last time she left by herself, kind of. Colossus had taken her through a garage when going to the basketball court, so she went that way.
As she was passing through the garage, she eyed up Gambit's bike. She was just going to leave without it, but…. She couldn't resist and she was running late. She couldn't see anyone around and it's not like Gambit could do anything about it if she borrowed his bike.
Rogue smirked to herself as she headed towards the bike. She pulled a clip out of her pocket and began to undo the locks on the wheels. She straddled the bike and opened the bonit, looking for the wires she needed to hotwire the thing. When she found the wires, it looked like they'd been tampered with before. That seemed strange.
Rogue almost jumped off the bike as a pair of hands came down on the handles.
"And what do you think your doin'?" Gambit asked.
When he asked, it didn't sound angry. More, intrigued. He smirked at Rogue when she stared up at him, shocked to be found. She closed her mouth shut. She wasn't too sure how to go with this. Usually, she would flirt, but she didn't think flirting with Gambit would be a good thing considering she was trying to get him to back off after all.
"Goin' out for breakfast. What's it look like?" Rogue snapped.
Gambit tilted his head to one side. "Told you to ask if you needed a ride. Didn't say you could take moi bike either." Gambit said.
"You said I couldn't take it ta school. Never said I couldn't take it for breakfast." Rogue said, smirking.
Gambit chuckled, "Then let me rephrase that for ya. De bike dun't go anywhere without me."
Rogue frowned, sitting back and folding her arms over her chest as she blew hair out of her face.
"Come on, I'm runnin' late. I promise I'll bring it back in one piece." Rogue said.
Gambit didn't seem to be budging by her trying to persuade him.
"There be other rides you can steal, non." He said, eyeing the car in the garage, "Although, never did figure you knew how to hack a ride. Where'd you learn to do that?" He said, glancing down at her handie work.
"Mystique." Rogue muttered out, rolling her eyes and about to lift her leg up to get off the bike and move towards the car. That was, until Gambit's hand came down on the leg she was going to lift up. Rogue eyed the hand, then was going to yell at Gambit, but he had already moved himself to be sat in front of her.
"What are ya doin'!" Rogue snapped.
"What it look like?" Gambit said, finishing the tapering Rogue had started with his bike, only getting it to work faster.
Rogue heard the engine start and was unsure what to do.
"I said I don't need ya ta give meh a lift!" Rogue snapped.
"A lift to school, you said. Not breakfast." He said, turning and shoving a helmet on Rogue's head. He had two helmets hung on the bike handles. He had a feeling he was going to give Rogue a lift this morning, so he'd set them up. Only, he thought she'd ask, not steal. The girl was just full of surprises. He liked that.
Gambit quickly put his on then revved his engine. "Best hang on, Cherie." He said.
Rogue quickly reached down, snatching her bag up and over her shoulder just as Gambit began to take off. Rogue jerked and throw herself forwards into Gambit's back. Gambit chuckled as he felt Rogue's arms snake around his chest.
He was used to driving fast and wanted to keep Rogue's arms strong around him so that's exactly how he drove. He had a feeling he might be dealing with an annoyed Rogue after the bike rid, but he'd take his chances.
Rogue however, did enjoy the speed. She didn't much enjoy who she was with, but it felt nice. Good to be on a bike again, enjoying the rush. And, although she'd never admit it, nice to be able to wrap her arms around someone. She hadn't driven on the back on a bike with someone, well, since she found that biker's club. And she'd only done that once when the guy she met took her to his gang's racing area. She'd stolen a bike after that, thinking it was just safer that way. She dropped one of the best bikers there and became known as the fast and furious Rogue. It did feel good though, having an excuse to hold someone. She never really got to go into situations where she was holding someone unless she had been on a job with Mystique. She couldn't help but question as they were driving why Gambit was so insistent on her touching him or vice versa. She guessed, well knew, he just saw her as a challenge. But why was he putting himself at such rise to get close to her? Hadn't he heard from Pyro, Colossus and Sabretooth how harsh her touch was? But, then again, none of them seemed to be bothered by her touch. Just Sabretooth who'd been sulking.
Gambit pulled up outside a café. Rogue could smell the bacon and eggs from outside and realised how hunger she was. Then, it dawned on her that she had no money. Maybe she could charm someone into buying her something, but it just felt… awkward to do that when Gambit was with her. But, she guessed she'd have to. She didn't have any money after all.
When Gambit parked up the bike, Rogue took off her helmet and climbed off. She rolled her eyes at Gambit's smirk then stormed off into the small café. Rogue glanced around, seeing two boys stood at the counter.
Rogue smirked, then began to approach them. She could see they both had something on that had Bayville High's slog on it. Rogue heard the boy closest to her order a bacon and eat sandwich.
"Hmmm," Rogue said, getting quite close to the boy who turned to her startled, "ya got good taste there." Rogue said, smiling softly and looking up at him through her lashes.
"Errr," the boy said for a moment, startled at Rogue's beauty. "Yeah, yeah. Sammy's does the best bacon and egg sandwiches. You new here?" he said, turning away from his friend to face Rogue so their chests were almost pressing together. "Not seen you around."
Rogue let out a rich giggle that had the boy enchanted, "Yeah, I am. I just joined Bayville High too. Guess I need someone ta show me the ropes 'round here. You know, what's good and all." She said, using her gloved middle finger to stroke the guy's arm.
"Well, I think I can definitely help you out there!" the boy beamed. "Starting with breakfast! Here, let me get you some. Make that two bacon and egg sandwiches Sammy." The boy called out, placing down more money on the counter that was scooped up by the person behind the bar.
"Awww, you're so sweet!" Rogue said, now placing her hand on the boy's chest.
The boy's grin couldn't have been wider. Rogue wasn't completely sure how she was going to get out of this now. But it was too late to turn back.
Then, an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her back into a chest. Rogue gasped, then turned her head to see Gambit with sunglasses on glaring at the boy in front of them.
"You hittin' on moi girl, homme?" he asked.
"Your girl?" the boy asked, glancing down to Rogue.
Rogue's own face had dropped a little. She had to think quickly on her feet. The guy had already paid for her breakfast so she got out of him what she needed. She needed a way to make him back off though so he didn't start touching her. But, did she really want to do what she thought would make him back off? Rogue groaned inside as she pulled a smile on her lips then shrugged her shoulders.
"He was just bein' kind." Rogue said up to Gambit, "he's gonna show me around later, aren't ya?"
"Erm, actually, I think we'll probably be in different classes." The boy said, picking up his sandwich and walking away.
Rogue rolled her eyes then as she watched the boy walk away. She reached for her own sandwich and took it.
"Ya can drop ya arm now swamp rat." She said as she began to walk out of Gambit's grasp.
He pulled her back though and turned her more into his chest.
"Don't think I will." He said with a large grin. "Bacon sandwich please moi bon homme." Gambit ordered, placing money down with his other hand. "You want a drink to go with dat?" he said, eyeing Rogue.
"Don't make meh kick ya butt in public!" Rogue said, glaring at him.
"You don't wanna go 'causin' a scene now, Cherie. Do that and Mags won't even let ya attend one day at school. Remember, he told you low profile, non." Gambit said quietly.
Rogue frowned, wrapping her arms around herself and pouting.
"I won't have ta make a scene if ya just let meh go!" she snapped.
"But you be moi femme, non?" Gambit said, beaming.
"No, I ain't. I just used ya as a way ta get that guy to back off." Rogue snapped.
Gambit's sandwich arrived and he took it. He then began to guide Rogue to a table. Rogue felt in a foul mood, but went with it, knowing Gambit was right about causing a scene and Magneto.
"'bout that, why'd you do it?" Gambit asked, sitting down.
Rogue sat down too. Rogue eased up a bit more now Gambit's arm was off her. She shrugged as she undid the wrapping on her sandwich. "I needed ta eat."
"You don't have any money?" he asked.
"Didn't really have anyone offerin' meh it." Rogue said after swallowing her first bite. The sandwich was good.
Gambit was frowning. "Mags shoulda gave ya something." He said, leaning back and starting to eat his sandwich. "If ya do need anythin' though, Cherie. Just ask, comprende? Don't go pullin' stupid stunts like dat. What would ya have done when dat garcon made a move on ya?"
"Woulda figured somethin' out." Rogue said.
Gambit shuck his head, "You gotta be more careful than that! If Mags knew what you were doin'-"
"Alright, alright! I get it." Rogue snapped.
She didn't like that her freedom was being dictated by Gambit or/and Magneto, but she guessed it was better than nothing. She just… wasn't used to being told she couldn't flirt and use her powers to get what she needed and wanted. It was strange. How was she going to survive? She didn't want to just go to Gambit every time she needed something. Maybe she'd pay a visit to Magneto later. Demand money from him.
"So, you nervous?" Gambit asked.
"'bout what?" Rogue asked.
"School? De homework? People? Mutants?" he whispered the last bit.
"No. Why should I be?" Rogue asked.
Gambit raised a sceptical eyebrow at her. Somehow, he doubted she was going to survive the full day. She wasn't even in the school and already she was flirting and relying on her powers to get her out of a tough situation. That wasn't a good sign. He wondered if she knew how to survive without her powers.
He knew he was going to be around to help her out if she did get into a tough situation, but she didn't know that. He somehow decided as well that she needed to learn not to rely on her powers too. It wasn't healthy for her. Plus, that was one of the whole reasons why Magneto was letting her do this. To realise that mutants should be known and able to use their powers freely. To do that, she had to first understand how hard it was hiding the fact that she was a mutant to everyone. So, for that reason, he decided not to tell her he was going to be there. She couldn't just rely on him to get her out of a tough situation. She wouldn't learn that way. But… still.
Gambit then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small phone.
"Here," he said, passing it to her.
"What's this?" she asked, taking the phone from his hand. Of course, she knew what a phone was, but still, she was confused why he was passing her one.
"A spare phone." Gambit said, "It's already set up and has moi number in der. You run into any problems, you give me a call, non? And I'll be there as quick as I can to help you out."
Rogue stopped eating as she glanced from Gambit's face down to the phone in her hand that suddenly felt that it weighed a ton.
"Your… givin' meh a phone?" She asked.
"More like borrowin' it ya. But who knows, be good and I might just let you keep it and moi number." Gambit said, winking at her.
Rogue felt bewildered. She'd never been given a phone before. She'd asked Irene and Mystique for one, but they refused and told her she didn't need one because she wasn't aloud out on her own and didn't have any friends.
This though… it felt like something huge to her. This was something not many people had, but it was something that would let her keep in contact with her friends. Well, if she made any friends at this school.
"Thank you." Rogue said.
Gambit smiled at her, enjoying the genuine surprised and touched look on her face. He guessed she wasn't spoiled often since she had that same face last night too after he got her school supplies. He might just need to get her some cool, thoughtful gifts more often. It might bring her around some.
"You're welcome." He said.
Rogue thought about it. He'd bought her school supplies, a phone, driven her to school, helped her out with two situations involving her absorbing men or trying to above absorbing men.
"Why are ya helpin' meh so much?" Rogue asked, not believing he didn't have an alternative motive. He just seemed too smart and sly not to.
"We be teammates, non? Teammates look out for one another." He said.
"Somehow, I doubt you'd buy Pyro or Colossus a phone." Rogue said, returning to eat her sandwich.
"Non, 'cause they aren't startin' school." Gambit said, matter of factly.
Rogue snorted and shuck her head. Was he really doing all of this just because she was a challenge to him? She had to give him credit, the boy was determined. But he was still going to lose.
After finishing their sandwiches, Gambit said: "Come on, I'll give ya a ride. Might as well let moi since ya let me drive ya here."
"Actually, you forced meh. You took off 'fore I could get off." Rogue said.
"You could have jumped off." Gambit smirked.
"Yeah, and missed ma first day ever of school thanks ta a broken neck? No thanks." Rogue said.
Gambit's arm wrapped around Rogue's waist. "Awww, come on Cherie. Admit it! De real reason you let me drive ya was 'cause ya couldn't keep your hands off moi." He said into her ear.
Rogue tsked, shoving him back. "Yeah, right. You're the one who keeps puttin' their hands all over meh. By the way, drop your arm swamp breath!" Rogue snapped.
Gambit chuckled, dropping his arm as they stood in front of his bike.
"Non probleme, but ya best wrap your arms 'round meh if you don't wanna go flyin' dat is." He said, taking a seat on his bike and placing his helmet on.
Rogue had folded her arms and rolled her eyes. She could have just walked to the school. She was sure it wasn't far, but still didn't know too well where it was. She took the helmet Gambit offered and only got on when she was ready. She just placed her hands on Gambit's sides, but he reached out and pulled them more around him.
"I said hang on." Then he took off, taking Rogue to school.