10
Gambit had driven off, overhearing part of what Lance was saying as he did, about going public. He grimaced, knowing what he had to do. He just hoped Rogue didn't hate him for it.
He parted his bike in the same space he had before and called Magneto. He reported to Magneto.
"I see. Good work for informing me of this, Gambit. We cannot afford for anything to be made public yet. When will you and Rogue return?" Magneto asked.
"Rogue said she was goin' to dis sports festival tonight with a friend. She's stickin' 'round de school, waitin' for it ta happen." Gambit said.
Magneto was silent on the other end of the phone. Gambit became quite anxious about this.
"She's doin' well. Ain't used her powers all day and kept a low profile like you asked. She's made dis friend though who's convinced her to go tonight. Rogue couldn't find a way to refuse." Gambit said, knowing he was bending the truth a bit for Rogue. He just hoped it didn't come back to bite him in the arse later.
"Does Rogue know about what is going to happen?" Magneto asked.
"Non," Gambit said.
"Inform her and be sure she stays hidden. That both of you stay hidden. Stick with her Gambit and continue to ensure the girl stays out of trouble. I will deal with the Brotherhood." Magneto said before ending the call.
Gambit sighed as he began walking about to where he saw Rogue and Scott go. He managed to climb up into the tree they were sat next to as Scott reached for a fallen pen that the wind had blown off the table. Rogue's back had been to him so neither of them knew he was there.
"Do you like me Kate?" Scott said to Rogue.
Gambit folded his arms and knew he was frowning as he watched the two. He hadn't realised they were rehearsing a romantic scene.
"Pardonne moi, I cannot tell what is like me?" Rogue said.
"An angel is like you Kate. And you are like an angel." Scott said.
Gambit felt sick to hear the line. Although, he had to admit, One Eye made it sound good. He felt his disguise grow more. But not as much as when he heard Rogue laugh.
"The girls are right. You are a charmer." Rogue said, turning her head slightly in her hands.
Hearing Rogue flirt made Gambit's blood boil. For Rogue, she found herself in a similar situation that she had been placed in many times recently. She had to talk to a boy and she felt awkward. The only way she knew how to talk to a boy was to flirt and it was killing her a little. Especially with Scott's next words.
"Look, I'm just reading the lines. Anyway, ain't you with that guy who was on the bike?" Scott asked.
"Who, Remy? No! He just flirts with meh," Rogue said, looking down at the ground in shame as she said that. Why was she telling Scott this? He was an X-Men! He shouldn't know personal information about them.
Gambit felt the same way on top of feeling angry, annoyed, disappointed, disguised. He just couldn't believe what he was hearing and he wanted to get down there, wrap his arm around Rogue and make One Eye back the hell off.
Scott snorted, "Hope you don't mind me saying this, but you seem to be a bit of a flirter yourself."
Rogue blushed red, "Yeah, I do mind, actually!" Rogue snapped, folding her arms and looking away.
"Hey, look, I'm sorry." Scott said, raising his hands up to show he meant no harm. He then began scratching the back of his head. "It's just, well, you've seemed to have made quite a first impression with the whole Josh thing. I guess you know that though, don't you?" Scott asked.
Rogue huffed.
Scott looked away, still feeling awkward, "I'm not trying to pry and all, just… well, you don't seem to be this girl that everyone's making you out to be and, quite frankly, I don't really like listening to what everyone else thinks about one person when they don't even know them. You know, people go through things that others don't know about." Scott said, looking away and kind of deep in thought. Rogue found it almost funny that she knew what he was referring to. But also sad. Was Scott actually upset he was being forced to keep quiet about his abilities? That's what it seemed to Rogue.
Gambit, himself, even picked up on what Scott was hinting at. He would have snorted if he could make noise. He never expected an X-Men to make a hint like that to Rogue. Especially not on her first day of school. Winning Rogue over to see things Magneto's way might just become easier after this conversation.
"I guess, what I'm trying to say is I kind of wanted to hear your side of the story rather than everyone else's." Scott finished.
Rogue looked away now, feeling awkward and uncomfortable. "How's that any of your business?" she said.
"It's not. But look, it's tough being the new guy, er, girl even. I just wanted to let you know that if you ever needed to talk about it, well, I'll listen." Scott said.
Rogue eyed him with wonder. This guy, Scott, he really was a nice guy. And he felt bad about not being able to come clear about his mutation. She kind of wanted to open up. To tell Scott that she was a mutant too. That there was a way for him to come out with his mutation. But then… she just couldn't see Scott wanting to fight in that war. Or maybe she was wrong? He had seemed willing to fight Lance before. There was just so much that Rogue didn't understand. So many politics happening that it was hard to follow. So she did the next best thing she was taught to do by Mystique. Keep quiet and find out the information no matter what it took. But don't make yourself look like your not in the know. If someone smells weakness, they will exploit it.
Rogue then read the next line.
Gambit wanted to hang himself by the end of the two's scene. He hated how smooth Scott had sounded when it came to being romantic and he hated seeing Rogue flirt with the guy, especially because he was an X-Men. As Risty came and collected Rogue and Scott went off to go meet his friends though, he realised something. Or more, questioned himself. Was he jealous of Scott Summer?
Xxxxx
Rogue sat in the rafters with Risty who was howling as the football players were introduced. When Jean Grey ran onto the field, Rogue raised her eyebrow. Was Jean using her powers when it came to football? Rogue questioned.
Rogue had also looked down at the rafters she was on and noticed that a man in a wheelchair had just entered. Rogue knew who that was from the files too and also from flashes of Magneto's brief memories. It was Professor Charles Xavier, the really powerful telepath. Rogue felt… shocked to see him. Even nervous.
Remembering he was a telepath, Rogue quickly tapped into Emma's abilities and pulled up a mental shield. She noticed the Professor glanced her way and she put all her attention back on th football pitch. What was the Professor doing in a place like this? Did he know she was a mutant working for Magneto? Had he come to get her or something?
Then Rogue heard Lance Alders voice, or more, Avalanche since he was dressed in a one piece get up. Rogue did wonder why he had a bowl on his head though as he spoke.
Rogue felt her jaw drop open at Avalanche telling the students they were mutants. Was this Magneto's plan? She couldn't believe it. When Rogue glanced around to see if she could spot Magneto, she noticed Risty looked pissed. Was she… was she disguised that Avalanche was a mutant? Did she know what mutants were? Rogue felt herself wanting to become small and swallowed up. If this was Magneto's plan, she didn't want any part of it.
Rogue stood up and began walking away.
"Rogue, where are you going?" Risty questioned, following her.
"I, erm," Rogue said, feeling uncomfortable. Rogue then huffed, "I'm outta here! I ain't listenin' ta that fool all night." Rogue said continuing to storm away.
"Erm, I'll go with you." Risty said, still following Rogue.
Gambit was hidden somewhere high where he could keep an eye on everyone. He'd watched Rogue, looking questioningly at Jean, then worriedly when the Professor showed up. Then he turned to see Toad steal the mic and he realised what they were up to.
"There gonna broadcast the unveil." Gambit had said as soon as Magneto answer the phone.
"Not if there is no network." Magneto had responded.
"Wheels is here too." Gambit informed Magneto.
"Keep him away from Rogue and make sure she returns to us safely. Do not let them meet. I do not believe they will. In fact, Charles being there might just work in our favour. Get out of there Gambit. Let Charles handle the Brotherhood." Magneto instructed.
Gambit got off the phone and turned to find where Rogue was as Avalanche began to point out who the mutants were. He smirked as he saw Rogue making her way towards the exit. Smart girl, he thought. It would make his job a whole lot easier. He watched though as Rogue tripped when Avalanche shuck the place up.
"Damn it!" Rogue muttered.
She looked up to see Pietro Maximoff, a.k.a. Quicksilver, surrounding the principle in a gust of speed and Blob climb the rafters to get to the large eagle above. Then, every student in the place seemed to have the same idea Rogue had. They began to run from the stands. Rogue struggled to find her feet as people surrounded her. In fact, she curved in on herself, scared she was going to absorb someone.
She felt someone on top of her though and pulling her back up the steps to one side, away from the crowd. Rogue looked up to see that Risty had pulled her back.
"Stupid animal!" she hissed, then glanced at her, worried, "You could have been serious injured." She said.
"I'm fine," Rogue said, blushing and turning away. On the field, Rogue could see the X-Men had geared up and were now fighting with the Brotherhood. She saw Kitty phase through the camera and Jean stop Quicksilver and throw him into Blob. She then saw Jean take the principle's phone away.
"Rogue! Come on!" She heard someone call out her name.
It was Gambit at the bottom of the rafters, looking up to her. He watched to go up the stairs and get her, but the stupid crowd, rushing to get out of there was blocking him.
Rogue had noticed Gambit was calling out to her to get out of there. Shed gathered, if he was telling her to leave, then this wasn't Magneto's plan. However, she was distracted by something else just then. The Blob had just jumped onto their rafters, crushing a part of them and making her and Risty tumble. Rogue became annoyed. No way this could have been Magneto's plan. He wouldn't have these idiots making a scene like this. They were probably ruining everything.
So Rogue decided to act. She knew she had been told not to, but Rogue slide down the rafters like a slide and slipped one glove off. She came close to Blob and reached out to touch his arm. She just hoped she wasn't going to gain as much weight as he had.
"Rogue!" Rogue heard two people call out to her when the Blob suddenly fell to his knees with the benches over his head. Rogue cried out as Blob dropped them and they fell on top of her and Blob.
Rogue wasn't hurt though. In fact, she was just uncomfortable. She moved her hand away from Blob and began to try and climb out. She heard a voice say: "Like, hang on! I'll get you out of there."
It was completely by accident, but Rogue reached out and her fingers slipped across Kitty Pride's check. Rogue gasped as she absorbed the mutant. But, lucky for her, Rogue felt another bunch of benches or wood or something fall on top of them. Rogue felt bad for Kitty, but it was the perfect cover. Kitty could have just been knocked unconscious by the falling wood. Rogue decided to keep using the Blobs power rather than Kitty's seeing as it might be more believable that she would be able to just push the benches away.
"Kitty!" Rogue heard a voice call out. Rogue then became still as she saw a cloud of purple appear and she was looking up, through the spaces in between the benches she could see through at a blue mutant. Rogue gasped and the blue mutant, Nightcrawler looked at her.
"Don't worry!" he said, "I'll get you out."
Rogue's face fell. Kitty Pride was freaking out in her head, but Rogue felt touched that both these X-Men had been trying to help her.
Nightcrawler began to move bits of bench and wood off Kitty and was making his way towards Rogue. Rogue then noticed four new hands join Nightcrawlers. And Rogue had never been more glad to see the red and black eyes peering out at her from behind his sunglasses.
"I got you cher." Gambit said as he moved the last bench.
Rogue reached out her ungloved hand towards Gambit who pulled her out of there. She noticed the other hands had been Risty's. Risty, her best friend, had been trying to save her too? Rogue really did feel overwhelmed with emotion at that point.
Then she heard Gambit close to her ear, "Pretend to be hurt."
"But, I'm-" Rogue said to say quietly back as she was brought to her feet.
"Trust me!" Gambit stressed.
And, for some reason, she did.
Rogue dropped to her knees as soon as she was stood on her feet.
"I got you cher." Gambit said as he caught her before she fell.
Rogue pretended moan out in pain and let Gambit carry her bridal style away.
Rogue kept her eyes half open though just in time to see thunder in the sky. She also peered up to see a woman, Storm, flying there. Gambit was almost running with her. He'd got them away and off the rafters quickly with Risty not far behind. Rogue glanced passed Gambit's shoulder as she saw Storm land next to the Professor who was now on the field. They were talking. Then, just before they turned the corner, Rogue saw the Professor reach up to touch his head. She started to see people stop and started to feel a psychic in her head.
Rogue had dropped Emma's shield when Avalanche had taken everyone by surprise. Quickly, she through a wall back up, then reached out with her gloved hand, placing it on the side of Gambit's. She pulled up a metal shield around them as the Professor's attack came on strong. Rogue cried out in Gambit's arms as she thought off the Professor.
Gambit had stopped, feeling Rogue's hand besides his head and hearing her cry out. Risty stopped besides them. Gambit glanced around, seeing people becoming almost hypnotised. He heard Risty cry out and fall to her knees. Gambit guessed this was what Magneto was on about when he said the Professor would take care of it.
Running again, Gambit tried to get as far away from the X-Men as he could, not stopping even when Rogue's hand fell from besides his head and she seemed to go slack a little in his arms.
Rogue was still conscious, just exhausted. She'd never had to use Emma's powers to fight off an attack like that. Never. And it was a strong one at that. Luckily, she knew she had been able to protect both hers and Gambit's minds from the Professor. She had heard the thoughts the Professor wanted to put in their minds. He wanted everyone to believe it had been the fireworks that had caused the damage. Not mutants. He was wiping everyone's memories and it had taken it's toll on him. That was when he stopped fighting her.
Rogue then tried to use Emma's powers to lock Kitty and Blob away, but it was hard. She was already tired from using Emma's powers to protect, not just her, but Gambit as well. She knew Gambit already had a shield of sorts up, but she didn't want to take the chance. If Gambit wasn't carrying her, Rogue really didn't think she'd be able to stand.
Gambit stopped when he came to his bike.
"Rogue? Rogue?" He called out.
Rogue opened her eyes all looked up at Gambit.
"Gambit?" She called out.
Gambit sighed, "Don't go scarin' me like that, non!" he said.
Rogue tried to move in his arms, but her head stung. She might have been able to lock Blob and Kitty away who were both angry at her, but she still had a massive headache.
"Easy." Gambit said, noticing Rogue was trying to move.
He sat her down on his bike seat and kept hold of her shoulders to keep her up right.
"You alright?" Gambit asked.
"Yeah." Rogue muttered.
"Did you get hit in the head by one a those benches?" He asked, touching her forehead, using her hair to help cover him. He was feeling for bumps.
"No," Rogue said, hitting his hand away, "I just blocked a psychic attack from that Xavier person." Rogue said, grunting and holding her head. "He's really strong!"
Gambit moved back, still holding Rogue up.
"What were you thinking!" Gambit suddenly snapped at her.
Rogue's eyes shot open to see that Gambit's sunglasses were gone. They'd fallen off at some point and now, he looked angry at her.
"Why'd you do it! Why'd you absorb 'em! You know you ain't supposed to be usin' your powers! What if you'd gotten caught?" Gambit snapped at her.
"But I didn't. People are gonna think Blob just couldn't hold those benches up and they fell on him. Same with Kitty. People are gonna think benches fell on her and knocked her out. Neither of em are gonna know that it was actually me that knocked 'em out." Rogue snorted then, "No one's gonna remember anything anyway. Well, not really."
"That's besides de point! You could have been serious hurt!" Gambit snapped at her.
Rogue just stared at him. Was he… worried about her? Was this about being loyal to Magneto and what he wanted or… something else?
Gambit realised how harsh he was being. He knew Rogue fell towards Blob and that, if she didn't act, she would have been crushed by the benches he was throwing. But still, if Magneto found out, he'd be furious. And still, Rogue could have been hurt. Then it would have been his neck on the line. Well, for both things. The whole day had not gone right at all.
Gambit sighed, "Listen, I know you were only doin' what you thought was right, but ya have to be more carful! Xavier might have wiped all the student's minds, but it doesn't mean he wiped de X-Men's or the Brotherhoods minds. Besides, he might have sensed ya usin' ya powers. He might know about you now." Gambit said, only just coming to that conclusion as he spoke.
Rogue's eyes widened in a mix of shock and horror. If he knew about her, then Magneto would find out and stop her from going to school. It had only been one day. One day and, although she didn't much like all the work and wasn't really getting on great with people, she still didn't want it to end. She wanted to feel normal for a change.
"I'm sorry." Rogue suddenly said, "I'm sorry. I tried ta get outta there, but Blob, he-"
"I know Cherie, I know." Gambit said, stroking the back of Rogue's head as he saw her start to panic. He didn't want her to panic. If she panicked, then all hell would break loose. He felt that he needed to keep her calm. Reassure her that everything would be alright. He… wasn't too sure why yet, but he knew there was probably a good reason behind it. He'd just figure that out later.
"Look, Mags is gonna wanna know what happened here tonight and he's gonna want us to tell em." Gambit explained.
"Are… are you gonna tell him what I did?" Rogue asked, seeming to become a small, timid girl before his eyes.
"I think we might have to." Gambit said, realising that, if the Brotherhood had their memories still and Blob might figure out what actually happened to him, Magneto would be pissed to learn it from the Brotherhood rather than them. "We'll say it in a way though that don't make him mad." Gambit said.
"How'd you mean?" Rogue asked.
Gambit dropped his hand from the back of her head, to her gloved hand and held it. "Well, there be a way to talk to Magneto without him goin' ballistic at us. If ya woulda just followed my lead de last time he was mad at us, ya woulda learned that."
Rogue looked away from him, a mix a anger and upset on her face. Gambit sighed, and used one of his gloved fingers to cup her under her chin and turn her back around to face him.
"We'll tell him you were up and runnin' to get outta the rafters, but Blob attacked those rafters you were on and your skin accidently touched him. Maybe face on his bare arm, if Mags askes. Then, we say Blob couldn't see your face cause you'd fallen behind him. We say dat Kitty girl tried to get you out, but she touched you skin too and that the benches fell on her, makin' it look like she'd just been hit in the head by whoever saw Shadowcat reachin' for ya." Gambit said.
"But that's kinda what happened anyway." Rogue said.
"I know, but my words make it sound more of an accident. We tell Mags you took you glove off, he's gonna know you had intentions to use your powers." Gambit said.
Rogue nodded at that, understanding now where Gambit was coming from.
"Speakin' of your glove, I'm gonna have to go back and grab it. You gonna be alright here on your own for a moment?" Gambit asked.
Rogue then grabbed a hold of Gambit's arm. "Ya can't go back there! What if someone sees ya? Tries ta wipe ya memories? I don't think I can shield us both again." Rogue said.
Gambit smirked, "Don't worry 'bout me cherie. I won't be seen. Not if I don't want to be."
Rogue remembered the training they'd done and how Gambit did just seem to disappear. She loosened her grip on him then, kind of believing him, but she still didn't want to take the risk.
"Just, give it time for the X-Men and Brotherhood ta start leavin' first… Please." Rogue added when she saw Gambit didn't look convinced.
"We can't wait too long. Mags is gonna wonder what the hold up is if we ain't back soon." Rogue nodded her head, easing as Gambit seemed to move into a more comfortable position on the ground.
"How'd you block Xavier? You got some kinda psychic up there?" He asked her.
Rogue nodded. "Her name's Emma Frost. I use her mainly ta put the psyche's away inta cells until I need ta use their powers or go through their memories. I've never used her ta block an on slaughter like that before though. It's kinda drained meh." Rogue admitted.
"Do you know if Xavier knew you were blocking us?" Gambit asked.
Rogue shuck her head, no. "I don't. But, I know that what he was doin' but a lot of strain on him. He was touchin' everyone's minds. Makin' em forget what happened and replaced the memory with a faulty fireworks display." Rogue said.
Gambit nodded.
"Mags might become a bit uneasy 'round that." Gambit admitted.
"You think Mags will think the Professor knows I blocked him? That he knows I'm a mutant? Do ya think he'll stop meh from goin' ta school?" Rogue asked.
Gambit saw the fear and panic in Rogue's eyes. He'd only seen her this emotional after she used a lot of her powers in their training session. He guessed that, once she did use those stored away powers extensively or to new levels, then she became more vulnerable. Possibly, something to do with her mind. She said she had psyche's locked away up there. He wondered how many. What having other people's thoughts, memories and powers would do to a person. He guessed, for Rogue, it brought down all her mental barriers and made her more emotional. If that was the case, he might have to make her avoid Magneto tonight.
"Possibly," Gambit said, not wanting to lie to her. After all, if he lied to her, then she might just say it. Although, he did wonder was stopping Rogue was attending school actually the best thing to do? But then, if she just upped and disappeared, wouldn't that get people questioning after her? Her new friend, Risty, would she ask about her?
"But I'll find a way ta tell him. Just let me think, ok cher?" Gambit said, realising his hold a little on her.
Rogue nodded her head, staying quiet. If Gambit could figure out a way to keep her in school, then she'd do it.
After a while, Gambit sighed, having though of something. "We could say dat we were able to get far away 'fore Xavier could reach us." Gambit said.
"But wouldn't that be liein'? Wouldn't he know? Didn't ya say ta just twist the truth?" Rogue asked.
Gambit inhaled deeply, then sighed. "Tell moi honestly, do you think de Professor knows you're a mutant? He knows you blocked him?"
Rogue stopped to think for a moment. She dipped into Emma's psyche to ask for her advice. Emma was almost insulted by Rogue even asking the question. She said that, if the Professor did know, it was because Rogue couldn't compare to the sheer brilliance, she had over her own abilities. Otherwise, she was strong enough to block him and make them seem almost invisible.
"Well, no." Rogue said, "He had to reach out ta every single mind there. Erasing a memory is one thing that's tirin',but puttin' new memories there too, that's like climbin' Everest! Plus, Emma dun't think he knows. She thinks we were invisible. I really doubt he knows I blocked him." Rogue said.
Gambit nodded, "Then, we tell Mags we got away. Your new friend, Risty, was besides us when he started. She dropped down. We tell 'em we knew what Xavier was doin' cause Risty was behind us and she collapsed to de ground, holdin' her head."
"Is she alright?" Rogue asked, trying to stand.
Gambit quickly grabbed her though and sat her back down.
"De femme be fine. She only had 'er memories changed." Gambit said, trying to calm Rogue.
Rogue listened to him and sat down again. Risty had tried to help save her. She didn't want to just leave her behind, but… she couldn't risk going back there and having the X-Men discover who she was. Then she'd never be able to see her.
"Mags is gonna wanna know why your wossy on your feet?" Gambit said.
Rogue looked away and began to think about it.
"Can't we say I did actually get hit in the head?" Rogue said, looking disappointed and annoyed at that.
It almost made Gambit snort. "You did, but you had Blob's powers. They stopped the concussion." He said with a smile.
"Yeah, well, what if I got hit in the head, then fell inta Blob?" Rogue said.
"You ain't got a mark ta show it?" Gambit said.
Rogue sighed, "Then we best make one." She said.
Gambit raised his eyebrow at her. "You serious?" he asked.
Rogue nodded.
"You wanna go to school dat bad, huh? What, de cafeteria food that good?" Gambit asked.
Rogue smirked at that, "It's… the first normal thing I've ever done in ma life… It's not great, I'll admit that. But… I don't wanna just be locked away like a secret weapon no more. I wanna feel normal. Have a normal life, ya know?" Rogue said, near tears. She wanted to curse herself for being this emotional.
Gambit's face fell in sorrow too. He moved towards her and hugged her to him. "I know cher. Don't you think I wanna walk around without needin' ta where contacts or glasses? I know cher."
"But you ain't ever been locked away 'cause of ya powers." Rogue said.
"Non, but I missed out on de normal things too. You think anyone'd let yours truly go to school with eyes like des?" Gambit asked, moving back so Rogue could look into his eyes.
She did. She stared into them for some time. They really were nice eyes. She knew she compared them to a devil's eyes at first, but they were really comforting to her now. Then Rogue hoped Gambit wasn't using his charm on her.
"Your… not usin' that charm thing on meh, are ya?" Rogue asked.
Gambit smirked, "Non, why?" he asked.
"'cause ya eyes are nice. Ain't nuthin' ta be scared of." Rogue said.
Gambit's smirk turned into a soft smile. "You be one of de only ones." He said.
Rogue looked away, guiltily. "I'm sorry I said before that I didn't care 'bout people like you. Who can't hide their mutation. Who can't have a normal life… I guess I just didn't want ta fight. I've been forced ta lie, steal and fight ma whole life for other people's reasons… Guess, I just wanted ta do ma own thing for once." Rogue said.
Gambit let a bittersweet smirk show on his face. Rogue really didn't know how much he understood her. His life had been the exact same.
"If you really wanna keep goin' ta school, then we'll make it happen. But cher," Gambit said, sighing, "Just don't get too attached, non? Ain't nothin' gonna stop Magneto from revealin' mutants and once he does, that normal life you're after, it ain't gonna be there." Gambit said.
Rogue looked sad. "I know… But, I've got a chance. A chance ta know, for a short time at least, what it's like ta be normal. I wanna grasp as much of that as I can. Ya gotta understand that, right?" Rogue asked.
"Oui, I do." Gambit said, and he truly did understand where Rogue was coming from. Hell, he might have even been a little jealous. Well, not about attending school, but if he could go to Vegas for example and not have to wear contacts, or glasses, or worry about something blowing up, or someone calling him a cheat, then hell, he'd grasp onto that for as long as he could too.
But he knew the world was cruel, and that he'd never have that and it wouldn't be in his future either. He didn't want to give Rogue false hope by giving her a normal life then having that taken away from her. He didn't want it to break her. He quite liked her fiery attitude and none stop determination to get what she wanted. He'd hate to see her lose that. But then, she already admitted to him that she knew it wasn't going to last. He guessed he'd just have to trust her and try to help her when it all fell apart.
Although, he didn't really know why he cared so much. Why was he even bothering to lie to Magneto? Why was he doing all this? This girl really was getting to him and he'd only known her one weekend and a day!
"Alright then," Rogue said, bringing Gambit away from his thoughts, "I've put Blob away and sealed off his powers. I should be able ta get a bump or bruise on ma head if ya hit meh with something." Rogue said.
Gambit raised his eyebrow, "You want moi ta hit ya? Cherie, I don't just go 'round beatin' on women you know?"
Rogue rolled her eyes then. "Fine! Pass meh something hard and I'll do it maself!" Rogue snapped.
Gambit sighed, "Why do I believe that?"
"'cause ya know I'll do it." Rogue said.
"Oui, I do." Gambit thought for a moment. Thought about how he didn't want to hurt Rogue. How, instead, he wanted to keep her safe. Hell, was even putting his own neck on the line to let her go back to school. He realised then that, earlier, it wasn't One Eye he'd been jealous of. It was because he was starting to care for Rogue. And that scared him. He shouldn't care for her. He shouldn't care for anyone except himself. That's how'd he'd survived for so long the way he had. He realised then that he had to get this girl out of his system however he could. He guessed, the reason why he was so bothered by her was because she kept turning him down every time. She was a challenge to his ego and he wouldn't give up until he won. Then, an idea came to mind.
"Alright Cherie, I'll do it." Gambit said.
Rogue shot him a small smile.
"But," Gambit said, a grin appearing on his face. Rogue didn't like that, "You know, you are askin' quite a lot from me. Twistin' de truth, liein', leavin' a mark on ya so de story looks true all so you can go back to school."
Rogue felt like her heart was sinking at every word Gambit was saying. She felt a little bit fearful. She knew Gambit wasn't a nice guy! She knew he was after something from her right from the beginning!
"What do ya want?" Rogue asked, getting straight to the point.
Gambit's grin turned smug. "Glad you asked Cherie," he said, leaning into her, "How's 'bout a date, non?" he said.
Rogue stared at him a moment, not quite taking in what he said.
"I'm sorry, what?" Rogue said.
"A date, non? You, me, dinner by candlelight, what'd you say?" Gambit asked.
"Ya wanna take meh on a date?" Rogue asked again, not quite understanding him.
"Dat what I said." Gambit said.
Rogue just stared at him harshly, "Why?" she asked.
Gambit shrugged, "You be a belle femme, non?"
Rogue's eyes narrowed, "Ya mean, ya wanna tell everyone ya got the Rogue as another notch on ya belt?" Rogue said.
Gambit tilted his head to one side, "Don't I already?" He asked.
Rogue suddenly seemed to become angry and shot up off the bike. "I…I can't believe this! No, I do! You're just a good for nothing, swamp rat! That's all ya ever were! Ever are!" Rogue snapped.
Gambit chuckled, "Calm down Cherie. I ain't gonna be spreadin' de rumours dat we slept together, non." Gambit said, realising that if he didn't rayne it in, he might not get Rogue to agree to it and then he might never get over her. Besides, maybe a date was all he needed. Who else could say they dated the Rogue?
Rogue just glared at him. "Like I'd believe that!"
"But ya'd believe I'd lie for ya without a second thought." Gambit said.
Rogue had come to lean against the wall of the ally way Gambit's bike was parked in.
He had her there. She couldn't think of a comeback.
"Why? Why do ya wanna claim meh so bad?" Rogue asked.
Gambit shrugged, "You got your reasons for wantin' ta go to school so bad, I got moi reasons for wantin' dis. I promise ya Rogue, it just be a date. Nothin' more, nothin' less. One date with moi. If nothin' happens, nothin' happens. If sparks fly, den dey fly. What is it ya think ya provin' by not datin', huh? What you so afraid of?" Gambit asked.
Rogue had been looking at Gambit over her shoulder, now she looked down and away. She really didn't want to tell him the real answer. That she'd only dated men who'd wanted to use her for something. That she thought he was the same. Just wanting one thing. That she was scared to go on a real date. To trust someone, only to get hurt when she learned that they never really cared about her, just her body or her powers? But Gambit knew he couldn't have her body or her powers. Well, he could have just said that he wanted her to use her powers in return for this favour, but he hadn't. Why? Why was he doing this? It was making her uncomfortable because she just didn't understand why he was interested in her or what he wanted.
But… she had been on many dates before and she did know how to handle a date. And, if Gambit did try something like that, using her for her body or powers, well, she could just touch him then display him to the other Acolytes as a warning not to cross her. Make it a warnin' ta them never to try playing her for a fool. In fact, a date might be the perfect thing to actually get Gambit to back off her. Once he realised he couldn't have her body nor her powers, he'd probably back off.
"One date? Ya won't go 'round tellin' people we slept together or nothin'?" Rogue asked.
"On moi honour, Cherie. Besides, I wouldn't scoop dat low. I'm a man who earns things." Gambit said. He knew, if you were to look at his profession, it might not seem that way, but to him, he put the work in to steal all those diamonds and perils. That work, that effort, that's what got him his just desserts, not just takin' something that didn't belong to him.
Rogue had thought more about Gambit on the basketball court. About him telling her that gaining a skill was better than stealing it. She wondered if this was kind of the same thing.
Rogue then nodded her head. "Fine! One date and if it don't work out, ya have ta back off meh!" Rogue said.
Gambit snorted, "Thought dis supposed to be my gain from de business?" Gambit asked.
"I can't deal with ya hands all over meh Cajun. I mean it!" Rogue said, "Ya ain't ever gonna win meh over by just pissin' meh off."
"Oh," Gambit said, cocking his head to one side. "Do tell moi more." He teased.
Rogue rolled her eyes.
"Alright, fine. I lie to Mags for ya. Get it so you can go back to school tomorrow, non? In exchange, you go on a date with moi. If it don't work, we drop it and I keep moi distance. If it does though, we go on a second date and I get ta keep holdin' ya, non?" Gambit said, raising his eyebrow.
Rogue snorted, "Ain't gonna happen, but sure. Why not." Rogue said.
She saw Gambit reaching out his hand for her to shake. She didn't see that he'd moved to grab his helmet from the bike handle and hide it behind his back. Rogue just sighed, then reached with her gloved hand to shake his. They shuck, then Gambit hit Rogue over the head with the bike helmet. He caught her before she hit the ground.
"Easy cher. Sorry 'bout dat, but you did ask for it." He said.
He brought Rogue further into the alleyway and laid her down on the floor. He then went to find her second glove. The X-Men and Brotherhood had all left by the time he got there. He ended up hotwiring a car too which he drove to Rogue, placed her in the back seat and then drove to the base in. This would be his excuse as to why it had taken so long to get back. Rogue had been passing out and they needed to hitch a ride. Also, it solved his problem on how to make sure Rogue didn't deal with Magento while her emotions were down and unguarded.
Overall, the night had took a pretty pleasant turn.