21

Rogue woke up a good while later in her bed. She had felt Sabretooth's psyche roaming around at the front of her head again, pissed. She worked on forcing him back and sat up. Her whole body hurt. Slowly, the memories started to return to her. Of her fight with Magneto. Of Magneto attacking her at the word go. Of Magneto using Colossus as a human shield. Of Magneto slamming her against a wall, crushing her.

Rogue touched her stomach, feeling her body. Her bones all seemed healed and her organs all intact. Sabretooth's healing ability really was incredible.

When she glanced at the side of her bed, she saw that Colossus had fallen asleep in a chair pulled up beside her bed. When she saw him, obviously, tried out from sitting beside her bed all day, worried about her, Rogue saw red.

Magneto had used him against her. His own teammate. He'd put his own teammate in danger in order to save his own selfish skin. Just like Mystique had done to her many times over. Rogue was pissed.

Rogue shot up and out of her bed, knowing what she was doing was risky as her emotions were still vivid from the amount of powers she had used, but she didn't care. If anything, her emotional state was what was driving her on to do this.

Rogue stormed towards Magneto's office and busted the door open, yelling his name.

"Magneto!" she screamed.

Magneto appeared from his little room attached to his office. He did not seem amused, nor frightened of her. Rogue stormed up to him, her face almost in his.

"What the hell was that!" She screamed.

"I will warn you once and once only. Lower your voice and drop your attitude or there will be consequences." He said.

"Oh yeah? Like what? You gonna slam meh up against a wall again, huh? Or throw metal bounders at meh? Lock meh up in ma room? Use someone as a shield again. What the hell is wrong with you! What is ya problem with meh? Why do ya keep attackin' meh? If you want an all out war then I've got no problem givin' ya hell, but ya leave Colossus and the others outta it!" Rogue snapped, surprised she'd managed to say all of that.

"I have no problem with you personally Rogue. Although, I am very strongly against your attitude with higher authorises. Training is simply that. Training. Do you really believe our enemies would be so gracious as to hold back like I have done? Do you not believe that they would have destroyed Colossus in front of you just to make you fall?" Magneto demanded.

"We ain't fightin' enemies! He's our teammate! Your employee! He's a good man who dun't deserve what you put him through. Hell, he shouldn't even be here! Ya a cruel, manipulative bastard and I don't believe for one minute that what your doin's for the gooda mutant kind! Blackmailin' a man who's obviously not a fighter inta workin' for ya in your stupid little army, that's sick! Demented and-" Rogue went to say, but was interrupted by Magneto.

"You know of his sister's condition then?" he asked.

Rogue snorted, "You're a monster! How could ya be so cruel ta such a sweet man?"

"For the same reason I am about to be cruel to you, if cruel is what you deem it. You will submit to me now and back down from this lowly show of emotion before you do something you will regret." Magneto said.

"Oh, I won't regret this! I ain't scared of you Magneto! Ya just a sick, twisted man who-"

"You do not have to fear me, but you best watch your tongue if you wish for Colossus' sister to remain in the hospital where she receives treatment." Magneto said.

Rogue felt like all her anger had been ripped from her at once. She was struggling to understand what Magneto had just said. What he was telling her.

Magneto smirked to himself, liking the reaction his words had caused.

"What the hell are ya gettin' at?" Rogue questioned.

"You will pelage your loyalty to me Rogue. You will do as I command when I tell you to without question. If you do not, I will stop paying for the medical treatment for Colossus' sister." Magneto said, letting Rogue have a moment to take in the information.

"But, that's Colossus' blackmail. That doesn't-"

"If you or Colossus dare disobey me, his sister will suffer. Do you really want to be responsible for her death, Rogue? Are you as evil as your mother?" Magneto asked.

Rogue stepped back, but it felt more like falling back to her. She was in utter shock at what had just happened.

"I did not think so." Magneto said, enjoying the quivering lip of Rogue's. He had her now. She was under his control. "Leave me and return to your room Rogue. I expect you to use your weekend to search through Mr Dukes' memories and file a report on what he knows of Mystique and the Brotherhood's activities."

Rogue just stood there, staring at Magneto in disbelief. What had just happened? What had she done?

"Well?" Magneto snapped, making Rogue jump.

She looked down to the ground, thinking. Magneto was blackmailing her. Using Colossus, or more, his sister against her. Colossus had been nothing but kind to her. He had but one purpose in his life. To help his sister return back to full health so he could see her off to University. Without that… well, what did he have? It was his dream, just like her's was going to school. If she couldn't have her dream then she would find any other way she could to have it. With Colossus though, once his sister died, that was it. It was all over for him. And she… She really didn't want to be seen as a monster. He was one of the few people who hadn't treated her as one, even after she touched him. She didn't want that view on her to change by doing an act that would make her a monster.

Rogue's shoulders fell. She glared at Magneto as she turned as left the room. She realised, as she was leaving it, that she was actually giving up something else she dreamed of. Her freedom. With Magneto's blackmail, she was stuck. There was no escaping now. Not unless Colossus' sister got well again. But, she had no idea what was actually wrong with his sister. No idea what her condition actual was. No idea when she would be well again. She had been played. Magneto had told her to befriend the Acolytes and she had. Mystique and Irene had warned her about getting close to people, even pulled her away from them and she didn't listen. Now, this had happened to her. She'd grown close to Colossus and began to care for him and now, she was trapped.

Colossus was outside of Magneto's office, looking at her worried when she left.

"Rogue, are you alright?" he asked, looking down at her with those small, yet big, concerned eyes of his. The eyes she had seen again and again whenever she had had a bad day or trouble with Gambit or just about tackled any problem as of recent. Those eyes and that care that had made her weak. Made her vulnerable to blackmail. Made her care.

Rogue couldn't take looking at those eyes and stormed off passed Colossus to her room where she slammed the door close behind her.

Xxxxx

Colossus had knocked at her door for a while soon after she'd fled to her room. She had ignored his pleads to let him in and to tell him what was wrong, what had happened. Soon after, he had left her door and Rogue was rather relieved at that.

She felt terrible. She felt terrible resenting Colossus when she knew it wasn't his fault what had happened. At least, she didn't believe it was. Her emotions of guilt soon got her thinking about how Colossus didn't seem like the scheming type. She realised that she didn't believe that his end goal was to make her care about him to the point where Magneto could blackmail her into staying.

She cried into her pillow, so upset that her freedom had just been snatched away from her. She was mad at herself. Why did she have to get so emotional after using her powers so much? Why did she go after Magneto like that when she knew it was only going to lead to trouble? Why didn't she just up and leave rather than go and argue with him and give him the chance to blackmail her?

Rogue, oddly, found herself wanting to turn to someone. Gambit, Mystique, Irene, Colossus. Anyone. Anyone who could help her get out of this mess and get her freedom back. She just wanted to be free and happy. Why was it so hard to have that?

There was a knock at her door and Rogue sighed. As much as she wanted company that would make all of her problems go away, she also wanted to be left alone. She didn't want to be seen as weak because she was crying. Mystique had been right about getting close to people. She must have been right about tears as weakness if seen too.

"Rogue," Colossus called from the other side.

Rogue sighed, wiping her tears away, ignoring the calls.

Colossus, however, decided that he'd given her enough time to be upset and ignore him. He was worried about her. Had been since Magneto had attacked her again. He'd heard her yelling at him, but he was too late to reach the office and learn why she was so upset. He knew that whatever happened would not have been good. But when Rogue left the office looking… well, defeated, he felt fearful. Then, she had ran from him and begun ignoring him and he had no idea why. What had happened? What had he missed? Why was Rogue so miserable? Besides the fact that Magneto was clearly bullying her, what had he done now to make her even more upset?

Colossus saw that Rogue's back was to him as he entered her room. He walked over towards her, standing beside her bed, looking down at her. He could see she had been crying which made him feel worse. There was nothing he could do to stop Magneto from his assault on Rogue and he did not know how to help her with whatever had been said to upset her because she would not tell him.

He reached down to pick the chair up he had been sat in before that had been knocked over with one hand since his other was occupied. He sat in it and leaned forwards towards Rogue.

"Rogue," he said, receiving no reply again. He sighed, "I do not think being here is good for you."

Rogue huffed inwardly at that. He couldn't have been more right about that.

"I think you should leave."

Rogue closed her eyes at that. She wished she could.

"If you have nowhere to go then I can provide you with some money I have left over from my pay. I can help you find a place which is far from here and from Magneto." Colossus said.

Rogue hadn't moved. He felt useless. He reached his hand out, touching Rogue's shoulder. He knew she didn't like to be touched, but he needed her to listen to him. He wanted to help her. He couldn't see her hurt again like she had been today.

"Please Rogue. Escape while you still can," he said.

Rogue snorted, closing her eyes as she felt his hand on her shoulder and heard his plea.

"Couldn't even if I wanted to." She said.

Colossus was glad to finally hear a response from Rogue. But, what she had said, confused him.

"Rogue?" he questioned.

She remained quiet, unsure if to tell him or not. She guessed he should know, seeing as it was his sister's life on the line. But if she told him, would that just make him become mean to her? Resent her for getting herself involved? She honestly wasn't sure. But… if she could get him to hate her and back away, then maybe it would make things easier.

"I can't leave." She said.

"Why not? If you are afraid of Magneto, I assure you, I will keep you safe and hidden-"

"Of course, it's because a Magneto, but not for the reason you think." Rogue replied.

"Then please, tell me. We can work through things together. Rogue, I just want to help you." Colossus said.

Rogue snorted again, "I don't think ya can." She said.

"What has he done?" Colossus asked.

Rogue, hesitantly, turned a little then so she was eyeing Colossus. She notice that there was a cake in his hand. She wasn't too sure why he had that. To cheer her up maybe? But nothing could cheer her up at the moment.

"He's blackmailin' meh Pete." Rogue said.

"What is the blackmail?" Colossus asked. "Surely, we can figure out a way out of it for you."

Rogue stared at him for a long time, then turned away, knowing she didn't want to see Colossus's face when she told him.

"He said if I leave or disobey him he'll stop payin' for ya sister's treatments." Rogue said.

She couldn't hear anything. Not even breathing. All was still in her room. Rogue, deciding that she did want to see the reaction, went to turn her head. But, she barely turned it half way before she saw the cake Colossus was holding go flying into the wall opposite her bed. She heard a yell and twisted in time to see Colossus lift up the chair he had been sitting in and throw it over the bed at the other wall.

Rogue ducked and rolled off her bed, yelping as the bed she had been lay on suddenly took flight and joined the chair as it was mashed against a wall. She watched Colossus begin to find anything he could to throw and destroy. Rogue, not wanting to fight the angry Russian, kept low as she ran for her bedroom door.

As she burst out of it, she ran straight into a chest. She glanced up, seeing Gambit glancing back down at her, his hands on her shoulders.

Gambit had finished his job, coming along and overhearing from the point where Rogue had told Colossus she was being blackmailed and what that blackmail was. Then, he'd heard things smash, Colossus screaming and Rogue's cry. He'd opened the door, intending to interfere in whatever was happening in there when Rogue ran right into his chest. He'd reached out and grabbed her shoulders, steadying her. Her eyes were so wide and screamed. It looked as if she had been crying. It was a horrible sight.

Gambit looked back up at the angry Russian in Rogue's room who was smashing everything in her room up. Colossus had become blinded by rage and Gambit couldn't blame him, even if he didn't think he was right to take it out on Rogue's furniture. He watched Colossus pick up a set of draws above his metal body. Gambit's arm shot out passed Rogue to grab the door handle. He managed to close the door, just as the draws hit the back of the door.

"What the heck's goin' on?" Pyro asked.

Both Rogue and Gambit turned their heads to see Pyro and Sabretooth had appeared in one of the corridors and Magneto was at the other end. He noticed, through holding Rogue, he felt fear and guilt run through her. Her head was down after she had spied Magneto. Gambit had saw that Magneto was glaring at her and she was… afraid of him? No, Gambit thought, she was more worried about the consequences to her and Colossus than anything.

"Not too sure mon ami, but I'm sure whatever it is dat pissed de homme off, it be a 'propriate response."

Gambit felt Rogue's hands on his chest faultier then and fall. He could still feel her sad emotions screaming out at him through his hold on her shoulders. He guessed what he said had upset Rogue, but he'd have to deal with that later.

"I'd say let de big fella get it all outta his system. Ain't often he loses his cool like dis. He'll calm down eventually. But best stay clear till then." Gambit said.

He shot a glance at Magneto. Magneto had eyed Gambit, but walked off, back towards his office most likely. It seemed he had no problems with letting the giant be upset considering he'd been the one to cause his outburst in the first place. Gambit had been trying not to glare at the man. He wanted to believe that he wouldn't sink so low, but, sadly, he knew he could and he had.

Gambit twisted Rogue around with his grip on her shoulders. She wasn't kicking up a fuss about it and he was glad about that. He wrapped one arm around her, shielding her almost as he walked her passed Pyro and Sabretooth. She kept her head down as he guided her and he thought it was for the best. The sorrow and guilt coming off her was too much.

Gambit lead Rogue into his room. He felt like that was the safest place for her to be at that moment in time considering booking her a flight to Paris and hiding her away somewhere was out. He led her over to his bed, his arm still wrapped around her as he sat her down. He was rubbing her shoulder as he worked out what to say to her to try and make her feel better.

"I'm not too sure what was said or done, Cherie, but whatever it is, I'm sure it ain't your fault. Pete would never be as mad at you as he was back there." He said.

He watched Rogue close her eyes that looked watery. He felt disbelieve coming from her. Her emotions, they were so intense and affecting his own. She was making him miserable. He almost regretted bringing her back to his room instead of just dumping her in the wreck room and walking out of the base for the night till she was over it. But then he knew leaving her to the other three would have probably been more damaging than helpful in this situation.

"Just give em time, non. I'm sure he'll be 'round to apologise soon. You ain't done nothin' wrong Cher. Nothin'." He said, kissing the side of her head.

Her eyes became tighter. She had wanted Colossus to hate her. To make it easier to distance herself from him and she had got a response that she had wanted. But… it hurt. It really hurt. And she didn't want to hurt this much. She didn't want Colossus to hate her. Her life was a mess and she had no idea how to make it better.

Gambit decided he had to do something about the guilt and anguish that was consuming Rogue. He knew his empathy wouldn't work well on people who knew he was using it. He' stopped using it on Rogue for that reason. But now, he felt like he had to at least try. He tried to think of calming things. New Orleans and card games. He tried to fight Rogue's emotions off as he focused on his own and worked to calm them. When he felt like he was calm enough and sable enough to tackle Rogue's emotions, he began to try and force that calm through her. He reached up and took hold of the side of Rogue's head. He pulled her head into his chest.

Rogue could feel something strange happening. It was like calm was being forced upon her. She didn't know what Gambit was doing holding her to his chest, but she didn't fight it. She felt like she had no fight left within her so she just let it happen. She let Gambit hold her and let the calm wash over her. But that also brought on her tears. Rogue began to cry into Gambit's chest.

Gambit just held her. Held her to him. He could feel that Rogue wasn't fighting him. In fact, she was letting him in. He thought this was progress considering that every other time she had thought him. He just hated that it had to be this way. That, every time she opened up to him, she was vulnerable. But he couldn't refuse her. He didn't know why, but he just let her cry. Cry until she began to become uneasy sitting up. He was feeling a bit stiff too from just sitting up right so he guided Rogue down. He lay her head down on his pillow. He left touching her for a moment as he focused on taking off his shoes. He moved Rogue's legs onto the bed then climbed over her and onto his bed behind Rogue. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into his chest, spooning her. He continued to think calming thoughts and feed them into Rogue. Her hair smelled floral and sweet. It was smoothing and helping to keep him calm which was, in turn, keeping her calm.

Rogue was starting to fade. She had had a tough day, physically and then emotionally. She had let Gambit do what he wanted with her and it had made her feel somewhat better. She felt like she was fading into darkness though and a part of her was scared. Scared to fall into it. Scared that, if she fell into it, nothing would be ok.

But then, Gambit was beside her and holding her and she just wanted to feel safe. She wanted to feel protected. He was giving her that. As much as she wanted to distance herself from everyone so that she would no longer become hurt, she felt like she needed him. Needed his touch. Touch from a person who didn't seem scared of her yet or see her as a monster. She embraced his hold, enjoying it however much she could as she faded into darkness.

Gambit felt it when Rogue fell asleep. She was set upset, but the sleep was calming on her. He managed to ease his empathy almost completely. While he held onto her, his empathy was still in affect and it was tiring. It was why he always left woman he slept with to sleep alone because he couldn't deal with his empathy kicking in. But this time, he really didn't want to move. He didn't want to stop touching Rogue. So, he closed his eyes, feeling exhausted from his overuse of empathy and just let the same sad, but calming sleep take over his body too.

Xxxxx

A few hours later, a knock on Gambit's door had woke him up. Gambit had been confused seeing the brown and white hair in front of his eyes when he first woke up, but he soon remembered what happened.

He sat up in his bed, his hand still on Rogue as he stared at his door.

Then he remembered that he hadn't returned the memory stick to Magneto yet. He guessed that was who was at his door and that was what he wanted.

Gambit got up out of his bed and moved towards his door. He opened it a little, not wanting Magneto to see Rogue in his bed and trying to blackmail him again using her.

To his surprise though, it was a down Colossus that stood on the other side, glancing down at him.

"Is she here?" the Russian asked.

"Oui, she be here. But she be sleepin'." Gambit said, still not ready to open the door fully yet. He didn't want Colossus coming in and destroying his room after all.

But it seemed like Colossus had definitely calmed down since his outburst. Now, he just looked guilty and sad.

"How is she?" he asked.

"Upset. You did wreck her room after all. Hope you left her jacket alone or she might just come after you for that one." Gambit said.

"I have amended her room. I am here to apologise to her. I…I lost control of my emotions," he said, looking away upset.

"Think everyone worked that out." Gambit said.

"Is she upset with me?" Colossus asked.

Gambit grimaced, leaning against the door and glancing back at Rogue. Although he had been feeling her emotions for hours, he wasn't completely sure that he could tell Colossus if she was upset at him.

"You'll have to ask her yourself when she's awake." Gambit said.

"I… understand." He said, still stood there as if he had no idea where to go and what to do.

Gambit sighed, not wanting to do what he knew was right since he was enjoying Rogue's company. But then, he figured it was best for everyone if he did.

Gambit opened the door more for Colossus, then walked over to his bed. He sat down on the edge of it and shuck Rogue's shoulder.

"Cher, there be someone here to see you." He said.

Colossus had stepped into the room after hearing Gambit say that. He had not stepped in far though, fearing what his presence would do to Rogue.

Rogue groaned then opened her eyes, glancing up at Gambit. She had a headache and she wanted just to fall back to sleep. She stared up at Gambit, then noticed Colossus was stood a little way behind him. Rogue came to sit up in Gambit's bed as she glanced at Colossus. He looked so sad. Then everything came flooding back to Rogue's memories and she looked away, unable to keep eye contact with him.

Gambit stood up which made Rogue feel nervous and on edge as she watched him.

"I'll give you two a minute, non?" he said before walking towards the door and closing it behind him.

After Gambit had gone, both Rogue and Colossus had glanced at each other, Rogue being the first to turn away and sit up more in Gambit's bed.

"Rogue, I am so sorry for my reaction. I did not mean to hurt you or scare you in any way." Colossus said, sighing at the end as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I just became so angry that I could not control myself."

He watched as Rogue closed her eyes, seeming pained still. This upset Colossus. He knew his reaction was bad and this was not going to be an easy apology, but he did not know he had upset her this much.

"I truly am sorry Rogue. If I hurt you, scared you. I know not enough words to express how much sorrow I feel for making you feel that way. I hope though that you can forgive me and we can be friends again." Colossus said.

Rogue snorted at that and opened her eyes as she glanced at Colossus.

"Friends?" she questioned.

Colossus felt hurt by this.

"I had hoped. But, I understand if you cannot forgive me that you may not want to return to being friends. I just hope that I can earn your forgiveness." He said.

Rogue just stared at him. Watching him. She had been confused. Dumbfounded. He… wanted to be friends with her? He was apologising to her?

"I…" Rogue said, looking away, not quite understanding what was happening. It felt like a trap and she wasn't too sure what to do, expect, say what she thought, "I didn't think you'd wanna be friends after I told ya 'bout that…"

"Why would I not want to be friends with you?" Colossus asked, confused himself.

Rogue shrugged her shoulders. She had curled up on the bed, bringing her knees to her chest and still refusing to meet his eyes.

"I thought you'd be mad at me." She said.

Colossus began to walk towards Rogue, seeing how upset she was. He sat down beside her and took a chance with placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Rogue," he said, "why would I be mad at you? It is not your fault that that monster of a man has placed you in this position."

-Rogue closed her eyes, hesitating. She didn't want to say something that would make Colossus go berserk again.

"I guess 'cause now it means if I screw up your sister pays the price. I've been screwin' up a lot I know and, well… I guess I thought you'd be mad at meh 'cause I'm probably gonna screw up again and that means ya sister's not gonna get the help she needs." Rogue said, near tears again.

"Oh Rogue," Colossus said, beginning to rub her back. "I am not upset with you! I am upset with dat mad man! If anything, I am most grateful to you Rogue. I am most grateful that you are still here. That you are trying to save my sister. You could have run away and he could have stopped providing for my sister and I would have been none the wiser. I admire you Rogue. But I am also so sorry for you that you have been roped into my problems." Colossus said, looking away, guilty.

"Ain't you fault." Rogue said, huffing. She had opened her eyes and was glaring at Gambit's floor.

Colossus snorted, knowing Rogue was right. Then huffed out a sigh.

"I promise you Rogue, I will do whatever I have to to keep you and my sister safe from that mad man. I consider you family now Rogue. And I will do what I must to protect my family." He said.

Rogue actually began to smile. How could she have thought that Colossus would have purposely lead her into something like that? She had quickly dipped into his memories just then and saw a few quick flashes of him with his sister. He had been happy and he loved her. She was his family. Now, hearing his say something like that, possibly having someone care for her like the emotions she had felt from Colossus' feeling towards his sister, it was… something she never thought she'd have.

She turned to look at Colossus was that sorry, wet excuse for a smile.

"So… friends again?" Rogue asked.

Colossus let a smile that was also sad fill his face.

"Most certainly." He said.

Rogue nodded, feeling rather relieved that she'd managed to keep her friend. She looked down at her toes that were wrapped up in Gambit's bed sheets. She now started thinking about Gambit. About how he'd been there for her again as a shoulder to cry on and let her worries loose on even though she hadn't said anything to him. She guessed… even though she was stuck with the Acolytes, it wasn't all bad. In her past life she had been stuck, isolated and alone, feeling like no one cared for her. Now, in her new life, she was stuck surrounded by people who actually seemed to give a dam about her and her about them. It was a massive step up from the life she once lived, Rogue realised, and she was beginning to regret a little less leaving Mystique and Irene.

"I best go back ta ma room and fix ma bed up for the night." Rogue said, beginning to stand up.

Colossus stood with her.

"I have already mended your bed. And your draws. And your wardrobe. And, anything else I might have broken. I am sorry I threw your stuff Rogue." Colossus said, turning red, scratching the back of his head and looking away, guilty.

Rogue actually chuckled at him then reached out and patted his bed.

"Don't worry about it." She said, "Besides, only the clothes are mine, really."

Colossus smiled at Rogue's chuckle. He was glad, if anyone else had to be blackmailed, that it was someone like Rogue. She may have arrived with a couldn't-care-less attitude, but now that he had spent time in getting to know her, he had learned that she really was a caring person. She had been alone for so long and just wanted to experience a normal life. He was going to try and provide her with that as best as he could. After all, she was doing him a massive favour and he did feel like this whole situation was entirely his fault.

He watched Rogue begin to make up Gambit's bed and he helped her with it.

Xxxxx

Gambit knocked on Magneto's office door. It opened and he was surprised to find Magneto still awake. Magneto came from the other half of his office that was off limits to everyone.

"What is it Gambit?" he questioned, dressed in his PJs.

"Came to deliver de memory stick." Gambit said, presenting it to him.

Magneto made it float across the room and into his hand.

"This could not have waited till morning?" Magneto asked.

Gambit shrugged, "Woulda handed it to you earlier, but I got caught up in something."

Gambit was keeping his form, but he really was pissed at Magneto. He had warned him to keep away from Rogue and, instead, he came back to find he'd just pushed her into a corner. And what's more, he'd just discovered that he'd been blackmailing Colossus with his sister the whole time. He was sure the big, friendly giant didn't belong here. But now he knew the reason why he stayed and it made him sick.

Magneto wasn't hiding his mild annoyance much though as he glanced down at the memory stick while Gambit spoke.

"I assume the situation has been handled?" he asked.

"Oui, I resolved de mess dat was made. 'Though, I also be here to make a request. I believe I've earned it considerin' all of de favours I've done you" Gambit said, raising his eyebrow at Magneto.

There was a reason Gambit had been such a suck up to Magneto in the pasted and this was one of those reasons. He had continuously done favours for the man so when the time came that he needed one back, he'd be more willing to oblige. He had to admit though, he didn't like that he felt like he was wasting one of his favours here.

"And what might dat be?" Magneto asked.

"Well, I suppose it actually turns out to be more of a favour to you. I wanna take Rogue out tomorrow. Show her a good time." Gambit said.

Magneto snorted, "And this will be a favour to me how?"

"Well, as you can see, when she ain't happy, no one be happy. Ain't easy keepin' your men under control and loyal when they be tearin' up rooms 'cause their little princess got hurt, non?" Gambit said.

Magneto seemed like he wanted to huff.

"Let me take Rogue out tomorrow. Give 'er a day off from whatever you got planned for her. When she comes back happy, it'll make de others happy and you'll have more obedient men." Gambit said.

"They are already obedient." Magneto said.

"True, but they ain't gonna do der best work while they be feelin' de blues." He said in response.

Magneto began to contemplate what it was Gambit was saying to him. Sure, he now had full control over Rogue and Colossus who saw him as the villain. He had no issues playing to part of the villain if it gained him what he wanted. But, there was a part of him that did not want to live under a roof where all his loyal subjects were angry with him. And… there was something else to do with Rogue, but he was too stubborn to admit it.

"How can I be sure your actions with Rogue will result in her contentment?" Magneto asked, "The two of you have not been on friendly terms from what I have witnessed."

"Dat be 'cause you ain't seen us when we be alone. Don't worry Mags, I know how to show a girl a good time." Gambit said, smirking.

He felt like he'd just been granted permission and he was going with it.

"Very well then. But if she returns upset and annoyed, you will deal with the consequences." Magneto stated.

"I'll take those chances." Gambit said, leaving Magneto's office.

As he headed back to his room, he bumped into Rogue and Colossus walking down the corridor. They both had small smiles on their faces and seemed rather shy around each other. It was a nice sight to see if he was honest. He wouldn't have suspected the two would have been smiling so soon after what had just been revealed. But, then again, he was extremely glad that he wasn't walking into something unfolding in his room that was nasty or unsightly.

Rogue was the first to meet his eyes. Her small smile made him smile back at her. But, then he felt a little down. He guessed he wouldn't get to spend the night cuddling the Rogue after all.

"Knew nothin' could keep de Rogue down for long. You be too tough of a femme for dat." Gambit said, folding his arms as he glanced at her.

Rogue blushed under his gaze and he liked that. Colossus glanced at Rogue then walked passed Gambit as she stopped in front of him. He wondered what was about to unfold.

"Thank ya for before." Rogue said, not meeting his eyes. She looked embarrassed.

"It be moi pleasure, Cherie." He said, smiling down at her.

"I really am gonna have ta figure out what I can do ta make it up ta ya, huh?" Rogue said, now meeting his eyes.

"Told you already, no bargain."

Rogue huffed at that, "Ain't bargain if I wanna do it." She said.

Gambit raised his eyebrow at her, "Not sure dat how it works, but if you do wanna do something nice for dis here Cajun," Gambit said, stepping closer to Rogue and whispering into her ear, "I be more dan willin' ta accept your kindness."

Rogue shivered at Gambit's breath on her neck. It was a strange feeling. It didn't make her feel repulsed. More… indulged. She snorted though, hearing the Cajun trying to charm her again.

She reached out and shoved his back slightly.

"Let's start with ma first act of kindness towards ya bein' that I ain't punched you through a wall yet." Rogue said.

Gambit chuckled. "Come on cher. We both know you love dis Cajun's face too much to do something so horrible as that." He said, seeing her eyes sparkle with some form of happiness. It was making him happy.

Rogue shuck her head then went to walk past Gambit.

"Goodnight Remy," she said, leaving him behind and returning to her room.

Gambit stood there, watching her go. He felt lighter. All those things that he'd been worried about and stressing over after speaking to Magneto about Rogue had just melted away. Although, something hadn't changed. He wanted her. He just wasn't to sure how, why or what for. But just seeing her smile and thank him after everything that had unfolded today, it just left him feeling like he was a million and one dollars richer and he loved it. Gambit retired for the night too, his made up sheets not feeling as comfortable without the southern belle wouldn't occupied them earlier being there.