Chapter 8

Gambit had showered like his brother made him and tried to think straight, although, that was hard to do with a hangover. But Gambit trusted his brother and while he took the day trying to sober up and think straight, his brother took over the wedding plans and making sure the groom and the bride got to their wedding. When Gambit finally thought things through he was stood in the doorway of the church feeling the same shame hed been feeling all day. That was when a friendly, large woman caught him off guard, hugging him tight.

"My boy. Why am I only hearin' 'bout dis gaul of yours till now? I hear she's a fine fille and that she and Merci really hit it off. Why Remy, what's the matter boy?" the woman known as tante Mattie stepped back but kept hold of Gambit in her embrace. She knew this boy as if he were her own. And she knew when he was upset.

Gambit stepped out of her grasp and breathed out a heavy breath. He knew that he could trust tante with anything and she'd help steer him in the right direction, only he couldn't tell her in detail.

"Tante... I dont think I can marry dis girl."

"oh, Remy. Why not? I thought you liked dis girl? She is dis girl dat saved you and your pére from de rippers, non? Is she a better choice than Bella?"

"Tante... It aint dat she aint good. She's brilliant. Shes amazin'. She's loyal, came back for me and mon pére when de assassins had us. And she's kind-hearted and fun. She came all dis way ta help me outta a stupid rut again. She's doin' this to save my life... And I can't give her anythin'. She lost everythin', Tante. Her home, her education, everythin'. But now she's already found a job down here and willin' ta move on. She's so strong and brave, but fragile. And like ya say, Tante, I'm a bull in a china shop. Too reckless for my oi own good...I've...I've done something stupid...something dat I think'll hurt her and I dont wanna hurt her Tante. Really. Dats the last thing I want ... I dont know what ta do."

"Oh Remy." Tante said taking his face in her hands. "Now ya listen ta me boy. Everyone makes mistakes and it seems you've made a big one. But dis big mistake has seemed ta make ya see how important dis girl is ta ya. My boy, we live and learn till tha day we die. Now ya 'bout ta be married. Bout ta make dis girl a promise. Dis is your chance ta start again. Ta make things better. I might not have met dis girl but I hear she's been through a rough time, and for her ta marry you it ain't gonna get any easier for her. So ya gotta stop dis self-centered and pitiful act n start thinkin' 'bout ya wife ta be. Think how scared she might be, huh. She's marryin' into a family and life she doesn't know or understand. She's gonna be watched and pestered by ya father and others and ya gotta take it easy with her my boy. I know you. You like control. You like puttin' people in der place so that they do what ya tell em. But ya can't do this to that girl. Ya gotta be the shoulder Remy. Ya got to stand by your wife and be kind ta her just as she has done you this kindness."

And that was the kick up the backside Gambit needed. This woman knew just what to say without knowing anything. This is why he loved her. He gave her a small smile as she straightened his suit. " I'm proud of ya. Proud of ya takin' ya own destiny in ya own hands. I just hope and wish you and dis fille the best."

Gambit nodded and hugged tante Mattie.

"Thank ya Tante. I owe ya one"

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Rogue was feeling butterflies as she and Merci pulled up in the limo Gambit had wanted for her but Henri had ordered (Rogue didn't know though).

"Nervous?" Merci asked.

Rogue breathed out heavily, looking away from the church and at her bridesmaid.

"That obvious?"

"Yeah. Same for every bride. But I'll tell ya somethin'. Everythin' is gonna be fine. We're gonna go in der and the scariest part is walking down the aisle. But once ya get that over with and ya holdin' his hand everything just seems ta go away. The stress. The nerves. All that's left is you and Henri... I mean Remy."

Rogue smiled at her new friend. She was very sweet. Not cute sweet like Kitty or kind sweet like Jean, but just in the middle. She had Kitty's excitement, but was calm like Jean, always wearing a smile. But the best thing about Merci which she felt wouldn't have happened with Jean or Kitty was that Merci looked out for her. Like, at the dress shop, Kitty would have been picking and demanding what type of dress she wore where Jean would have been lecturing her about tradition and wearing something sensible. But Merci, she was neither. She stopped a few dresses, took them off the rack, and asked Rogue, "How's bout dis one? Do ya like somethin' like dis?" and if Rogue said no there would be no bickering. And if she said yes Merci worked harder to find Rogue's dream dress and, atlas, she found it.

Now she sat in her dress looking at the church feeling that she rather be facing Apocalypse again one on one. The door was opened for her by the limo driver and Rogue stepped out. She held the flowers tight to her chest which she had in her hand and waited for Merci to come to her side. The two girls giggled as they looked at each other. Was this really happening? The Rogue was getting married?

Then she heard the sound of a bike pulling up further in front of the church than the limo. And off pulled the helmet to reveal an angry-looking Logan. Rogue's heart stopped in her chest, and her body froze as utter fear and shock filled her body.

"Rogue, what aare you doing?" Logan asked, but Rogue was too taken back to hear. Logan growled low and took a step towards her. "I asked ya what are you doin? And why you dressed like that?" no answer. "Rogue, I'm getting very sick of not having any answers-"

"Hi there, ma name's Merci LeBeau. Rogue's maid of honor. Ya must be her father." Rogue felt very grateful to have Merci as her friend and, hopefully, sister-in-law, but Logan shot Merci a scary look to silence her before turning back to Rogue.

"Answers kid, now!"

Rogue stumbled to find the right words

Her bottom lip trembled. And Logan finally lost it. He growled "fine" and headed off into the church.

"Logan? No, wait! Logan stop!"

But he was already inside. Rogue chased after him having returned to reality. By the time Rogue had gotten to the start of the aisle, she saw Logan had Gambit pinned against the alter, his claws out and by his throat.

"Logan, stop please!"

Gambit's head turned to her voice, and he melted. For a moment there he was sure she had found out about everything and had called Logan to chop his head off. But hearing her protest and yelling at him to stop made him realise she hadn't found out, but they had been found. He melted at the sight of her. She was beautiful. In a traditional white dress with a corset and long flowing skirt. Her arms were covered by floral lace which started at the cleavage of the corset and kissed her lace gloves. Her hair was tied up in a bun on top of her head with a tiara and veil in it. But there was one small piece of white hair that fell in her beautiful eyes. She had gone for a simple bridal glow; a bit of eyeliner and red lipstick which made him want to sink his teeth into those juicy-looking lips even more.

Logan growled as he turned away from Gambit but never let go of his neck. "Him again Rogue? What's he got you doin' now? Made you elope? Can't you see he's using you strips?"

"Yeah Logan. Ah know what he's doin'. And ah know what ah'm doin'. Ah'm gettin married. So do ya mind letting go of mah groom please."

"Married. Out of the question. You not getting married to this-"

"Logan!" Rogue yelled finally having had enough. She noticed all eyes were on her as she walked down the aisle and learned that Merci was right. It was the most terrifying part. But she was close behind. Rogue came to stand in front of Logan and Gambit, placing her hand over Logan's which had hold of Gambit's neck. "Logan ah know what ah'm doin. Ah'm eighteen now. Ya can't stop meh."

"Oh, I can stop you alright-"

"But not without hurting meh. Let him go Logan. Please." And Logan let go at Rogue's fair voice

"I want answers Rogue. And I want em now."

"You'll get em."

"No Rogue. I mean it. You said that the last time this low life kidnapped you and I never got a straight answer. Now you better tell me and tell me fast if you don't want gumbo here headless."

Rogue looked at Gambit who was watching her giving nothing away. She was looking for an answer to her question of if she could tell him. But he didn't answer. Rogue swallow hard not liking having all the eyes on her. "Alright. Finah, but can we take this in another room?"

"You can use the sacristy." Said the shaking priest behind the alter. The poor little guy was terrified at the sight of Logan, but Logan just grabbed Rogue's hand and dragged her in the door behind them.

"What the hell is going on stripes. The Professor gets a phone call saying you've been expelled for attacking students and ran away from school. I track you down to the airport and you smell of that no good Cajun out there. But you didn't want me to know you were with him, did you? You used those perfume bombs to try and put me off, didn't you? So what? You're eloping with this guy? Cause I'm tellin ya, this ain't gonna work."

"And how do ya know that Logan? Ya've not even given him a chance. Ya don't know him. Look, ah didn't elope alright? Well, not at first, but he did ask meh ta marry him before ah ran away."

"So you have been seeing him? He's the reason why you attacked those people-"

"No, well, yes, ah have been seein'him, but no. Ah didn't-"

"He's been twisting your mind Rogue. Trickin' ya into marrying him. Tricking you like he did last time."

"And why would he try trickin' meh inta marryin' him Logan?"

"...I don't know, but he's still using you Rogue."

"Ah know Logan. Ah know why he wants ta marry meh."

"And why's that? Cause he's told you he loves you?" Rogue couldn't believe what Logan had just implied and Logan looked guilty as soon as he realised what he'd said."I didn't mean it like-"

"No Logan. Ya did. But you're wrong. You wanna know why ah'm here? Why ah'm marryin' him? It's because at least he gives a damn enough ta ask what happened at school before goin' on the warpath. At least he asked instead of just hearin' one side of the story and believein' those idiots at school. At least he asks meh what ah want. That's why Logan, OK."

"Because he gives you choices? Rogue that ain't no reason to marry someone. I understand I was wrong in coming here and kicking off and not listening to your side of what happened at school, but you can't possibly be so dumb as to see that there's a hidden agender behind this?"

"Oh so now ah'm dumb."

"No. You know what I mean kid-"

"Don't call me that. Ah ain't a kid Logan and soon ah'm gonna be a married woman. Ah know what Remy's gettin outta this. He's gettin' a life."

"And what are you getting out of this Rogue? A thieving husband who's just going to break your heart? I don't want you hurt . It's too soon."

"This can't wait Logan. There ain't time. But ah'm tellin ya, if ya knew the reason behind this then you'd be thinkin' good of meh."

"Then tell me Rogue. Why are you marrying him?"

"...Ah can't?"

"Why?"

"Cause...cause..."

"I'll tell you why. Because you know that my mind will still be the same. I'll still be tellin' ya not ta marry him."

"Alright Logan, ya wanna know so badly. A few days ago, before ah got kicked outta school, Gambit asked meh ta marry him ta save his life. His daddy wants ta marry him off to this assassin woman and they're gonna kill Remy if he does. But he can't get outta it. He'll be forced to, and if he runs he'll be tracked down and made to or worse. He asked meh ta marry him cause he trusts me. Outta all the girls in the world, he trusts me."

"He's using you. You can absorb him and know all about him. You'll look like a normal wife who knows her husband, but it won't work once these thieves find out ya can't touch."

"We'll get ta that when we get ta it. But Logan ah'm doin this. Ah'm gonna save his life . You cant stop meh."

"Oh yes I can."

"Then stop meh, but ah'm tellin' ya Logan. Ah won't ever forgive you if he dies."

Logan let go of a breath. He was proud of Rogue for trying to save someone's life, but this wasn't right. "Stripes, come home. There'll be other ways to help the Cajun if he means that much to you-"

"Come home to what? Bein' an X-Men? Sorrah Logan, but ah'm not sure ah even wanna be an X-Men anymore. Ah don't wanna go back ta a place where the Professors gonna lecture meh for hours for fighting and running away. Ah can't go back ta school meaning ah've lost ma education, and ah can't just hang around the mansion all mah life. Just sitting on the sidelines waiting for when there's some mutant in trouble that the X-Men need ta go help. Watching everyone else go out, get educations and jobs and ah'm stuck in time just growing old and watching life pass meh by. Logan ah wanna do something with mah life. Here, ah'm back home in good old south and ah can get an education. Ah already have a job here, and ah'll have a family. Merci is really nice, my bridesmaid, and ah'm sure Tante is and Henri. Remy loves and adores em. They help set this up. They helped him get away so he could come back ta Bayville and ask meh ta marry him, cause they love him and don't want him ta die. They've looked at all the ways out of this and there isn't any. This is his only chance Logan. For us both. We can both start new lifes once were married. Both do what we wanna do and be what we wanna be."

"And what about if either of you fall in love with someone else? What then?"

"Then we get a quite divorce. It's only ta convince the guide." Logan ran his hand down his face, struggling to think of a come back.

"Do you love him?" Logan asked Rogue. Rogue didn't expect that question and stood there dumbly. Rogue looked away unsure what her answer was. Logan folded his arms. "Well?"

"...Ah...Ah don't know...But ah must care 'bout him if ah'm doin' this for him."

"Or you just don't want a death on your hands."

"No...If it was someone else...Ah would have helped em find someone else who they could marry."

"Then why haven't you done that for Gambit? You don't know if you love him Rogue. A marrage isn't just a piece of paper. It's a promise. A promise between two people who love each other. It ain't something you can just break whenever you feel like it."

"Ah know that Logan. Ah know it's a promise two people in love make ta show their love ta one another. A promise that means they're taken for the rest of their lives...And he's promised me his life. And ah promise him ah'll be here and marry him."

"That's different Rogue. They're unconditional promises. This is different. Are you really going to give your life for that low life?"

"...Ah already have. Ah went back for him last time... And ah'm here now."

Logan let out a little frustrated growl. He knew there was no way of getting through to Rogue like this. She had made up her mind and she wasn't changing it. Finally, Logan straightened himself, nodded and headed for the door. Before he turned the handle he said back to Rogue. "If you ever need us, or me, we're still here for you. I just hope you know what you're doing. And that Cajun knows it too. If he ever treats you wrong." Logan held up his fist which had three shiny claws sticking out of the knuckles. Before Logan could turn the knob, Rogue spoke up.

"Logan... Will you stay for the weddin...? Give meh away?"

Logan let out a low sound, which sounded disappointed.

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Gambit had become nervious and worried as soon as the door closed on the Wolverine and Rogue. He was worried Logan was going to convince Rogue to leave with him and he was going to be left behind to die. But then, that feeling from before came back to drag him down again. Rogue didn't deserve him. It would be better if she left. Better if Logan could convince her. She'd be better off.

Logan came out of the room first, his face dark and full of disappointment. He sent Gambit a glare as he passed. He walked down the aisle and out of the building. Gambit looked to Rogue who was now stood in the door way, looking upset after Logan. He realised what had happened. He'd seen the look in Logan's eye. It was the same one he got from his father. And Logan had given it to Rogue. Logan was like Rogue's father, he knew that. And looking at her now, he saw that Rogue was hurting badly after choosing him over her family. Is this what it had come to? He had ruined Rogue's family? Her relationship? He was making her give them up, or lose them for him when he didn't even deserve her?

Merci had been the first by Rogue's side to comfort her, but now she was stood in front of him, trying to force a smile. Gambit made up his mind. He took hold of Rogue's wrist and led her back down the aisle. Rogue questioned him, but he ignored her, telling everyone else not to follow them and leave them alone. Outside Rogue asked what was wrong.

"I can't do this Rogue. We can't do this..." He couldn't look her in the eye. Why was this so hard to say?" We can't get married."

Rogue's eyes widened in hurt and horror. "W-what?"

"We can't be married."

"W-Why? B-because of Logan? He's gone. It's finah. He's not gonna stop the weddin."

"Non Rogue. There aint gonna be a weddin'"

"...But, Why...? You need this. You need to get married. You need to marry me so you wont die. So you won't have to marry that Donna woman... Remy, answer me!"

He finally met her eyes, and did the only thing he knew would work. "Why? Why don't I want to marry you? Look at yourself Rogue? You're beautiful. Hot. Sexy. A temptress, but you can't touch. What's the point in marryin' someone as beautiful as you and not bein' able ta touch em? And ya know what Rogue, your right. I can't live without it. And I can't live with you!"

"...So...this is 'bout mah skin-"

"Not just that. You wanna know where I was last night Rogue? I was out havin' fun. I was out at a club, drinking and laughing, and I was with a girl. A smokin' hot girl who could touch and who did want me. Not just some miserable brat like you. Not just someone who wants me for my money. Not a good digger. Not someone who's a goody-two-shoes. Not someone who moans about their existences and most likely cuts themselves cause they can't even give out a decent handshake without sendin someone inta a coma. Not just some dick tease like you. You wanna know why I don't wanna marry you Rogue, It's because your sensitive, up tight, and broken. Your broken Rogue. A broken girl who's never known love and never will and will cry and cut herself over it. The only thing your good for is ya powers. Nothin else." Gambit finished coldly and cruelly.

Rogue wasn't moving. It took time to sink in and by the time it did, she was overwhelmed with tears which physically stung at Gambit's insides. Her anger and fire were lost to the urge to break down and cry. Never had someone talked to her like that. Never had someone hurt her this badly. Gambit couldn't bear looking at her anymore. It hurt too much. "Why you still here. I told ya I didn't want ya. Now fuck off."

Rogue wasn't sure what to do. She wanted to stay and fight and defend herself, but the shock hurt too much and she didn't want to cry in front of Gambit, so shakingly, she turned on her heels and walked away from the church.