Chapter 5

The next morning, Rogue woke up before Gambit. It took her a moment to remember everything, but when it all came back she felt the same drowning feeling as she did each morning. It wasn't a literal feeling, but an emotional one. The one where it registered in her mind that she still had her powers that prevented her from getting close to anyone and still lived the same miserable life. Well, almost the same.

That's when she looked over at Gambit. Looking over at him, for some reason, made her feel a little lighter and hopeful for a time. She still felt like she was drowning in everything, but there was just something that sweetened that drowning for a time. Watching how softly Gambit breathed made her think about how she might have to wake up from now on with him besides her. That didn't really seem like a bad thing. In fact, it felt nice that someone would chose to be that close to her. Plus, she wouldn't mind waking up to that beautiful face of his. He'd also respected her space last night and was on the other side of the king sized bed, seperated by pillows. Rogue admired his back muscles for a while as he wasn't wearing a shirt. He was definitely a hottie and she was getting married to him. Rogue thought she wasn't that pretty, definitely not with that little miss perfect Jeans Grey walking the hallways of the mansion where she used to live. It was strange to think of Jean or the mansion or any of the X-Men. It had only been a day or so, but she felt like she'd been away from home for a long time. But then again, it never really did feel like that much of a home with so many people just walking past her and ignoring her like a ghost, or fussing over her as if she was a guest or something. Anyway, the point was she never thought someone as plain looking as her would get together with a hottie like Gambit. That was one good things about marrying him, she guessed. She'd have somebody gorgeous all to herself and to wake up to in the morning just like a normal person could with their husband to be. But then she thought of all the other women who were prettier than her and who could actually touch him and make him happy. That and then the reality that this was all a set up hit her and just because they were tieing the knot to save his life didn't mean he'd stay faithful. That was the kicking blow that brought her back to her usual misery in the morning.

Rogue got up and went for a shower. In the shower she tried to think of all the good things about Gambit. Well, the first time she'd meet him, he'd taken her breath away. He came as such a shock to her. He was gorgeous then even with that bowl hair cut. Then he'd given her that card which she thought was a gift, but then exploded. She wasn't quite sure what she thought of him when it came to that. She guessed her first thoughts were he was a jerk. But then again, he was only doing his job in fighting her. Still was a jerk. Then there was the time he kidnapped her and made her think it was for her. That was kinda sweet, but then he was lying to her the whole time. That wasn't good. But at least this time he'd actually told her and she'd agreed to help him, although it wasn't as sweet this time. It was pretty sour actually. It seemed that this time he was more of a jerk than he had been when he'd kidnapped her. When he was lying to her he was lay back and cool, but now he seemed pushy and on edge. It might have been the stress and having to marry her. She knew she hadn't been the best person to be around at the moment. She wasn't the happiest of people,what just having lost everything she had… But now she had Gambit who wanted to marry her. And who liked her. Liked her for her she hoped. He barely knew her long, but he did mean like like her right? There she was turning into Kitty she turned off the shower and thought about how messed up life was being a mutant.

Rogue held onto the sink as she took a deep breath and sighed. She thought to herself that, even though she liked the silly girlish thrill she was feeling whenever she thought about Gambit possibly like liking her and chosing her and them living happily ever after together, she had to be real. Even though she wanted him to stay with her so she could keep waking up feeling somewhat normal, she had to realise that that might not happen. Once he got his life back, he might go his seperate way and lay down in some other girls bed. She'd just have to deal with that when it came to it and just get through this wedding and all until she could get some money like Gambit promised to go back to school or something that would let her re-start her life again.

She changed into the plain red shirt and jeans that were the last of the clothes she'd bought from the shop at the airport. She'd have to send off her other set to get washed. She stepped out of the bathroom. Gambit was awake and out of bed. He was prancing around the room half nacked and Rogue felt like she had to look away. She got a good look at his abs though before looking away. "Shower's free." She said grabbing his attention.

He turned away form the window to look at her. He reckongised the red top being from the airport. Her hair was dripping wet from her shoulders and leaving dark red marks on the top. He was going to have to get her some new clothes. Definetly some better and prettier clothes since that top was plain and picked out in a hurry. He thought he'd let Merci take her out shopping, but he decided that he'd take her instead. Plus she'd need at least a suit case full to look like she actually had planned this instead of eloping. Maybe they should sneak around New Orleans today. He'd have to keep them both in the dark. It'd be hard, but do able. So they were going to town today then.

But he would ask her first before he made a decision like that. He remembered that. He needed to stop fussing and worrying so much about fooling his family or else he might just lose his bride. Plus it would make him look suspisous. He needed to be lay back and relaxed like he normally was instead of bossy and pushy. And he needed to start being nice to his future wife. He came to stand in front of Rogue. She looked up at him wondering what he was thinking when he looked down at her. She had a hint of red in her checks which made him smile as he understood what she was blushing at." That scratch mark is clearin up fast. You almost can't see it."

"Oh. That's good. Ah guess."

Gambit just shrugged his shoulders. "Doesn't matter to me. Ya look belle even when bloody." And with that he stepped into the shower leaving Rogue blushing a little more red.

When he got out of the shower, in jeans and no shirt he found Rogue sat with her legs up on the sofa watching tv. He jumped over it and sat down on the sofa while moving her legs into his lap. She looked a little wide eyed. She was watching the news. "Anything interestin' happenin'."

Rogue pulled her legs out of his lap. "Not much. Nothing big and bad 'bout mutants."

Gambit pulled her legs back up into his lap. He began massaging the muscle through her jeans. He would have rubbed her feet but he didn't have gloves on."Well, no news is good news."

"What are ya doin'?" She asked.

Gambit looked up to see her looking puzzled. Her muscles were stiff or maybe she was stiff because she wasn't used to touch. "Massagin ya leg. What do ya think I'm doin'?"

"Ah know what ya doin', but why ya touchin mah?"

"You really don't have people reachin' for you, do you?"

"Well the poisonous skin tends ta scare people off." Rogue said looking away from him and jolting back her bitter and sadness.

"Well then they're stupid." The way he said it made Rogue look at him with a bit of awe. He sounded casual, but strongly believing in what he was saying. It was strange. It wasn't any speech from the Professor sayin she'd get close to people in time, or anyone gettin emotional and close. It was just a simple statement which meant a lot. She wondered if he knew how much that meant to her. So she let him stroke her legs. She wanted to ask what he was creeping for, but she already knew didn't she. Besides, she rather liked it. She turned back to the tv and found the news rather depressing. "Can I turn it over chére?" Rogue passed him the remote and he flicked through the channels finding an old horror movie, Carrie. "You like horror movie's right?"

"Thought you knew me better?" Rogue joked and Gambit gave a small smile as he already knew she did. He was just being a gentlemen. "Yeah. Stephen King's awesome for horror. Ah really look It."

Gambit smiled, glad that he'd just learnt something about her. She was a massive Stephen king fan. He was going to have to spend the day getting to know her. He might just take her out to a resterant today. But what questions could he ask her? Maybe he should stick with horror movies. "So Stephen King fan huh. Shoulda saw that one comin. I've seen the gothic books on your shelve in ya room. They all seem like old books. You like those types of books?"

"You've been in mah room?"

"Non, that would be stupid. Wolverine got a real strong nose. I hid in the trees outside of the mansion and used binoculars."

"Why were ya spyin on us?"

"Part of de job when workin with buckethead. Plus good to know who your gettin' yourself involved with. Anyway, ah noticed ya hide your romances."

"Romance is torture."

"How's romance torturin' you?"

"Ya really have ta ask?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oui, like I said. People are stupid if they let somethin' like touch stop em from gettin' close to someone. Besides, I happen to like this little romance."

Rogue blushed a little. She didn't want to do a googy Kitty, but that was so sweet. He really thought this was romantic? He wanted romance? Was he actually interested more than had been letting on? Rogue tried to keep a hold of herself and not let herself be taken in by what she wanted to happen, but it was so hard not too.

"...ma skin... Really doesn't bother you?"

"Non, not really. Let's just say that there's lots of things ya can do with bodies, but far more important is just havin' a good relationship. So, really no romance stories? Not even a striper or somethin' in ya life?"

"No! And before you ask no, ah don't. Why would ah read an exotic book?" Rogue said with amusement in her voice.

"Thought it would be an interestin' topic to talk about."

"You wanna talk about sex with the untouchable?"

"Yes...no...I mean, errr." Gambit said feeling a little awkward and worried he maybe upsetting her. But she had an awkward smile of her own.

"So ya really open 'bout that stuff then?"

"Oui, guess I am. Got nothin' ta be ashamed 'bout really. Not when I know how good lookin' I am. None of the girls can resist this, not even mon southern belle."

"Oh ah begged a differ."

"Oh I don't think so. I remember the first time ya saw me. Ya were frozen to the spot."

"No ah wasn't! Ah was just wondering what ya were doin' stood there just starin' at mah instead of fightin meh. What was with that card anyway?"

"Just a little sumthin' ta keep bucket head thinkin' I was doin my job. Never could bring myself ta hurt a belle fillie."

"So ya decided ta try blowin mah hand off."

"Don't worry chérie, it wouldn't have hurt ya."

"Is that right?"

"Oui. I wouldn't have let it happen. Sumthin' ya don't know bout me is dat I have a power called empathy. It helps me control and know others emotions. I may have had a little influence in our first meetin."

"Oh really. A little? So your the reason ah stood starin' at ya like a strunken idiot."

"Non, that was all you. Ya the one who was starin' at moi. Thinkin' I was attractive. I could see it in ya eyes, and that secret smile of yours once ya thought I'd disappeared. I only got you ta realise the card was charged."

"Ah wasn't attracted ta ya Cajun. Keep dream in'."

"Bout you , of course. Anyway, there are erotic books in dat mansion ya know."

"Huh, really? Who owns em?"

"Oh just a tall someone who ya like ta call little miss perfect."

"No way. Jean reads erotic fiction? That hilarious. Wonder if Scott knows. Those two are sickly together anyway. But really. Little miss perfect needs ta read erotic novels when she has a boyfriend sulkin' in the corner 'bout not bein touched."

Gambit chuckled at this. He liked seeing the victorious smile across her face, but there was something bothering him now and he felt like he needed to ask." Are...you still into that boy scout? I know I was...harsh when tryin' ta convince ya to marry me and I said some horrible things, but...I was only tryin' ta convince you... And I never asked if you still liked that boy scout."

It went a little silent and awkward then. But she answered. "Ah grew outta him. Ah think the reason ah liked him in tha first place was cause, before ah was with the X-Men, and at that time ah was thinkin' they were the enmy just tryin ta hurt mah, Scott was pretty much tha only one outta the X-Men that made the effort ta try and reach out ta meh after ah ran away from em and joined tha Brotherhood. Ah guess he was the main reason why ah joined the X-Men. We went on this field trip tagether and then Mystique happened and well, ah found out ah'd been tricked and lied too and when ah absorbed Scott that day ah learnt he really did care 'bout what happened to ma..."

"I get it. The homme was there and you knew you could trust him when everyone else had turned their back on ya. That does make a difference ta what I was thinkin'. I thought you liked him cause of his looks and good boy attitude."

"Oh no. Truthfully that good boy thing got a little annoying after a while. And besides, like ya said, one good little Boy Scout deserves one little miss perfect."

"Glad ta hear ya not that much inta good boys chére, cause I can't say I'm gonna be that good for ya." Rogue rolled her eyes and watched as Carrie went home to tell her mother about the dance she was going to. "So, do ya wanna maybe go out to town today? See New Orleans. Get some new clothes? Grab somethin' ta eat."

"Would that be a good idea? Didn't end so well last time with tha rippers."

"Non, but dis time we won't deliberately be goin into assassin or thieves territory. We'll be hidin' in plan sight."

"Oh. Maybe. But, how 'bout we just stay in this mornin? There's a lotta movies on taday, and truthfully, ah don't really like goin out ta town."

"Ya mean you don't like crowded places. You don't have ta worry 'bout bumpin' inta anyone, physically or people we're avoiding. I lived here ma whole life and know all the secret ways and quiet places. Stick with me and we'll be fine. But if you insist, we'll stay in and relax for de mornin', but ya gotta tell me 'bout yaself later over a candle lit dinner."

"We'll see Cajun. We'll see."

88888

There morning plan consisted of just slouching together on the bed, watching movies and talking about past experiences. They had fun ordering popcorn and other refreshments and just messing about. Somehow, by the end of the second movie they were lay together in eachother's arms. Rogue had moved to lie down more and Gambit sneaked his way to lie besides her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Of course Rogue shot up and removed his arm, arguing with him, not to touch her, but when Gambit had a goal in mind he was stubborn till the end. Soon Rogue just gave up on the fourth attempt when he pulled her to him, complaining about her blocking the tv. It was awkward at first, and she had to move down a bit more so he could see past her head. She felt him lean his head against the top of hers while letting her use his chest as a cushion since he'd stolen it and soon it was just relaxing and really comfortable to have someone to cuddle up to. Rogue wondered how they'd gone from being enimies, to friends, to her hating him for lying to her, to making up, to reuniting again and being proposed to, but not being happy about it, to being happy and cuddling while watching a romance. She was just suprized at how easy it was to lie down and relax with Gambit just like any normal person might do with their boyfriend. Was that what he was now? A boyfriend?

"So... You ever been in a relationship other than Bella Donna? You said you slept around, but did you ever date any of em?"

"Nope. Sometimes I didn't even know their names. It was just physical. A one nighter with each one of em and they knew that. I made it clear it was just for enjoyment. The only serious relationship I've had with someone since Bell is you. And I mean we had a connection before this whole mess of a marrage thing."

"You really don't like em forcin you ta get married do ya."

"Non, I liked it when I was in control of my own destiny."

"Ah can understand that... Did you ever wanna get married, ya know. Before all this arranged marrage stuff."

"Truthfully, didn't give it much thought. I may be older than you, but that dunt mean I don't wanna be young and free. Didn't t'ink bout it cause I wasn't ready to settle down. I liked the danger and workin for bucket head. Just... Havin that freedom. The guilde have loads of rules and stuff, so just gettin away from it was my goal... But... I guess I wouldn't mind it. Later on in life I mean."

"How old are you anyway!"

"Twenty two. I was twenty one when I first met you."

"Oh, so there's a four year difference between us. And we've known each other a year."

"Yep. That's what we'll tell em. I ran away a year ago, well a little longer than that, but started working for old bucket head in May. The month I meet you. Ever since then we were on and off since we were playin' opposite sides, but still sneaked out to see each other, putting the other things aside. We got into arguements a good few times 'bout our work, but we always made up. You came with me ta save mon pére even though we weren't on good terms back then. We were fightin over some guy livin with ya back at Xaveirs mansion who liked you, and I got jealous, but you defended him. You were mad at how I was reacting. You told me in an arguement that I should go back to livin' with my family since there was nothin' left in Bayville for me; you'd dumped me and I had no more boss. Then, cause you felt guilty when I told ya mon pére had been kidnapped, you ran away from home ta help get em back. I stayed with mon familie after that cause I missed em, and we were still on fight. But when I ran away from home again a month ago or so, I came straight back to Bayville where you were and we got together again, after missing each other so much. Mon tante Mattie, Merci and brother Henri can vouch for me there. Hell, I think even mon pére will be able ta vouch for me if he wasn't so stuck in the idea of me and Bella marryin."

"What'd you mean by that?"

"Let's just say there was a lotta talk' bout you when you left. Good talk, but still talk."

Rogue smiled at this. She wasn't quite sure what they had been talking about but she was sure something good since Gambit's checks lit up red a little. "What's it like to live with ya family?"

"Well, after you left and I started livin' with em again, I was worried. Worried 'bout you and my old team mates who were up, fightin' Apocolypse. This wedding came up when you were all fightin' and they kept me here in New Orleans. Kept me busy with jobs so I'd been too tired and busy to figure out what they were up to."

"So all ya family's sneaky."

"You could say that, but non. Part from mon pére who's so into dis feud that he's stopped carin' 'bout his family, the others, they care. I'd trust em with my life, always, even if they don't tell me stuff. I know they always look out for me. They really do care."

"You really trust them that much?"

"Oui."

"Whoa...That must be nice havin' that sorta trust in someone."

"You've never had that trust, have you."

"No. Not really. I mean the X-Men are good and all and have been there for me, but... Ah don't know."

"... Sounds like there's trust, but no relationship."

"Pretty much."

"Do you trust me?"

"Trust you...? Ah guess so. Ah mean you did take care of me when ah didn't know what was goin' on last time. And I guessed ah have ta trust you ta marry you, wouldn't ah."

"Good to know you have such strong trust in me." Gambit said sarcastically.

"Sorrah, but it's not like we've known each other that long. And besides having some trust in ya is better than none. Ah mean ya did kidnap meh and that should have ended mah trust in ya. But here ah am 'bout ta marry ya."

"Oui, and ya don't know how greatful I am that ya are."

Silence fell, but they didn't know if it was awkward or a nice silence. Rogue looked away from Gambit's sparkling, but serious eyes. He seemed happy, yet serious in what he was saying. Gambit saw the same shining eyes that sparkled with a kind of happiness, but taking what he was saying seriously. Trying to move the subject on Gambit pulled her closer and she turned her head to watch the tv. "So, when'd ya wanna go out for dat meal?"

"It's only eleven, not even afternoon yet. How 'bout we watch a comedy then go out."

"Sounds good. How 'bout we go shopping before we go for a meal. We could order lunch here, then go get some more clothes for you. Let me spoil you before we go to a restaurant for dinner."

"Clothes shopping? Doesn't sound very manly."

"Is if I wanna treat the woman I lo- I'm gonna marry." Gambit stumbled on his word chose, but Rogue didn't notice. He was a little happy that she didn't. But a little dissapointed as well. That sentence with the L word in it came just so naturally right then, only he could never say that word to another person and mean it. But here, lying besides Rogue with her in his arms just made it all seem real. Like that word he was about to say he did really feel.

"Feels kinda strange hearin' stuff like that."

"Huh?"

"Wife. Husband. Marriage."

"Best be gettin' used to it then mon chére, cause soon ya gonna be a LeBeau. What is your real name anyway?" Rogue didn't answer and Gambit lend up on his elbow to be able to see Rogue's wide eyes."Why'd ya never use your birth name?"

"... Cause ah don't. Ah got mah name legally changed ta Rogue anyway, so ya can just stick ta callin' meh that."

"Right. And what's you seconded name?"

"Don't have one."

"What?"

"Don't have one."

"But you need to have a second name for legal documents. So what is it?"

She said nothing. Gambit pulled her back onto her back so he could see her face. "Why don't ya tell anyone ya real name?"

"...cause it'll give power over meh... Ah've been used all ma life, ya can't blame me for wanting ta...protect myself from people tryin ta use and hurt meh. Besides, Rogue is who ah am now. So will you just accept it and drop it please."

"Chére, I don't want to force anything on you, but the thieves are gonna think ya dodgy if you don't give a name."

"They have ma name. Rogue. If ya need ta then say you know it but ya made a promise not ta tell anyone or somethin'."

Silence.

"If ya really want to, then you can pick me a name then. A name ya like and what ya would want ya wife's name ta be."

"Rogue LeBeau it is then." Gambit said, lying back down besides her. Rogue blushed a little and felt kinda touched by Gambit wanting his wife to be called Rogue. Wanting it to be her. He might just be saying that so it didn't make things difficult between them, but still he had that kind seriousness to his eyes. Rogue turned back to the tv with a little smile on her lips. "And Rogue, my name's Remy LeBeau. Ya gonna have ta start callin' ya husband ta be by dat name."

"Alright. Cajun."

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Gambit was happy when they left the resort. He could smell that sweet perfum he'd bought Rogue lining her skin and he'd commented about her liking it. She only rolled her eyes at him, but he knew she did. Gambit had taken Rogue shopping like he said he would and took her into an expensive shop which had no plain clothes. He tried hiding all the gothic and dark clothes from her, and she got only a few black clothes. By the end of the day she had three dresses (one being black) five tops, three skirts and three pairs of pants. He also got her some silk pyjamas that made her look sexy, but covered her whole body. Then they went shoe shopping and he actually bought her heels. He left her alone with the underwear part, and he went to find some jewellery for her while she searched for nice underwear. He guessed that she wore plain things, but he'd left her in a shop where there were only sexy underwear and not plain boring ones. Plus he'd convinced her to dress more in colours and lace instead of dark gothic clothes so that she could impress his family. She didn't much like the idea. It was hard for her even to go out without her gothic makeup on. She said she felt like people were looking at her, but Gambit told her it was the hidden beauty she was hiding under all that gothic make up which was making them look at her. She also noticed that he wrapped his arm around her waist while they walked, and he wouldn't drop it even when she pushed him away. The underwear and changing rooms was pretty much the only time she got away from him. She caught him giving a few guys dirty looks as they passed. She wasn't sure what he was doing, but ignored him and while she found her underwear, she sneaked back into the clothes section, quickly picking up a few dark clothes she'd noticed, but hoped Gambit hadn't noticed she put them with the other clothes she was buying. She had also saw dark make up and hurried to the till to pay for them using some money in hand that Gambit had given her. Rogue smiled as she felt so much better having the clothes and makeup.

She walked around the shop for a while and couldn't find Gambit anywhere. So she stepped out of the shop and began walking down the streets casually and calmy blending in like Gambit had shown her. She looked into shops and thought she saw him in a cafe. She entered it and looked around. She couldn't see him, so went to the bar to ask if they'd seen him. The woman she came to talk to was a perky girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, but she reminded Rogue of Kitty. Especially in height.

"Hey, ah'm lookin for... My boyfriend. Well financé, hmmm." Rogue didn't think she could give his real name and a code name would make her look suspisous so she tried to get out of telling the name. "He's this high, brown hair and brown trench coat. Usually wears dark shades. Have you seen him?"

"No, I'm sorry, I haven't. Not seen anyone with that description enter here ever-"

"Natalie, table seven needs seeing to and you need to take table nine and eleven's orders over quickly." The poor girl, Nataile, looked flustered and panicy.

"Oh ok. Hold on. I'm seein' a customer."

"You seem ta be a little run off ya feet here. You short staffed?" Rogue asked.

"Yeah, I mean, there's a job openin' but no one's been in for it. It's kinda strange. The jobs been open for three days and there's been no CVs or anythin' and this is one of the most best and busiest cafés here."

"You have a job opening...? Well, ah don't have a CV or experience... And ah haven't finished school... Do you think ah could apply."

"You want the job? Great. Tanya there's the boss. I'll ask her ta come over and speck ta ya about it. Just say ya can be polite to annoying argogant customs and have patience and ya should be fine. Gotta go. Hope ya get the job." Nataile said, before taking off to go talk to Tanya who had been the woman barking orders at her before. Rogue bit her lower lip thinking that no way was she patient. Tanya came over looking like Natalie's mother and said, "you want the job?"

"Hmmm, yeah. Ah would. Ah don't have a CV or anythin' and ah haven't finished school yet, but ah can still wait on people and stuff. Clean and take orders and ah learn quickly."

"I see. Well, that don't seem very impressive, but hey, if I don't give ya a chance then what good have you young kids got at actually getting a job when your older. Alright. When can you start?"

"Well, hmmm, ah'm kinda gettin married tomorrow. Ah should actually be getting mah dress today, but ah'm sure ah could get it tomorrow and work tonight if you like. Ah mean ah planned ta have dinner with mah financé, but he's dissapeared. And Ah'll be able to work after mah wedding. We're not leaving town me and mah fella, so I'll be able ta come quite often after that ah think." Did she really just refer to Gambit as her fella?

"Alright ya good with time. Ya can start now by dropping those bags off in the back, I'll throw you one of our dresses, and ya can start by helpin' Nataile out. Poor girl's bein' run off her feet. Text ya man where ya are and tell him you'll be out for nine. Then you can start next week on Monday. Be here at eight am. Natalie will show you the ropes bit more then, but for now just hand out and clean up."

Rogue blinked in suprize at this woman. Was she serious? Had she just gotten a job? Rogue smiled gleefully and shuck the woman's hand thanking her before following her to the back where she quickly changed into a black and white checkered dress. It had short puffy sleeves and a short shirt. Rogue quicky pulled out some skin coloured tightes and long white gloves made of silk to cover her arms. Then she realised she didn't have Gambit's number. She'd left her phone in her bag at the resort. She'd turned it off on the plane and not turned it back on since she knew that she'd have a hundrad missed calls from the X-Men. Rogue bit her lip as she wondered what to do, but then Nataile came in the back and pulled Rogue out of the changing room into the dinner.

Rogue was stressed within ten minutes of the job. She tried keeping her temper low and was back and forth like a yo yo. But stopped when she spotted someone stood leaning against the enterance looking at her with a smirk and bewilderment. Rogue hurried over to him with a little glee in her voice and said "ah gotta job. Don't know how it happened but ah just got roped inta it. Where've you been?"

Gambit couldn't help but feel happy but slightly jealous at Rogue's cleverage. He liked how it made her look sexy, but he didn't like how the other guys in the cafe were looking at her. But she looked happy, well stressed, but he could tell she was happy. Happy she'd managed to find a job and felt usful.

"Lookin' for ya."

"No, where'd ya dissapear to before. Ah looked round tha shop ya left meh in and couldn't find ya."

"I'll tell ya later. Anyway, what time do ya get off?"

"Nine. Will that be too late to go out for that meal?"

"Non, it be perfect. Nine it is then."

Rogue smiled as she hurried off with the plates of food she had in hand. Gambit sat down at a table and got served by the other girl. He watched Rogue carefully, and notice that there was one guy on her tables who was pushing his luck with her. He was with a group of friends who were eyeing up his woman. He watched Rogue stand her ground against their comments which were most likely suggestions that, if Gambit would have heard, would have meant they'd be layed out. It looked like Rogue had the last laugh as she began walking away. But when one of them grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her aggressively back to the table, it was then Gambit lost it. He stood up and headed over to the table wrapping his arms around an angry Rogue's waist. She jumped underneath him but relaxed a little when she saw it was him. But felt slightly scared when she saw the look he was giving the other men.

"Bill Cassidy, are you causin' trouble again?" came a strong woman's voice. "Get outta here." Yelled Tanya as she came up besides Rogue. "'fore I get security ta kick ya outta here."

"We were just havin a little fun with the new girl Tan."

"That new girl happens ta be gettin' married tamorrow, and she dunt want no other guy when she's loyal ta her own man." There were a round of cheers from the people in the cafe. Rogue blushed a little and Gambit smiled down at Rogue, happy she'd obviously been talking about their marriage. He liked Rogue's boss who shoed them thugs away. But Gambit wasn't finished with them yet. He asked Rogue if she was alright and when she said yes, he kissed her hand liking her blush and left.