"Hey there chere," his red on black eyes burning into hers, "aren't you supposed to be fighting me?"
He smirked as she gazed at him. They always seemed to be meeting under undesirable circumstances and each time she couldn't help but be awestruck. He stood there for a moment then stepped a few inches closer, testing the waters so to speak. She made no attempt to move, her gaze staying fixated on those gorgeous, glowing eyes. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. He could feel her heart picking up pace. She blinked as his face moved closer to hers. She tried to clear her thoughts but found it impossible with his breath on her face. Fighting, he said something about fighting. Fighting him? She felt warmth on her palm, looking down to see her hand on his chest. His hand was placed firmly over hers. She began to smile, not sure why but feeling happy anyway.
"Chere…," he whispered.
She just stared, mystified. His smirk faded as he looked past her, focused on the large figure stalking them in the distance. He looked back at the girl with the emerald green eyes. She quickly pulled her hand away, seeming to finally come to her sense and punched him in the face. He grabbed his jaw and took a few steps back. He gawked at her as he rubbed along the side of his face. Her once mystified eyes had been replaced with anger. She shook out her hand.
"I probably deserved that," he shrugged, "why'd you hit me chere?"
"Why? You're the enemy. It's my job to hit you," she hissed.
"Really? It felt kind of like you were about to kiss me a second ago," he said while stepping closer yet again, "Or maybe it's only me that wants to kiss you, chere."
Her fists lowered, "First of all, don't call me chere, it's Rogue. Second I think we both know why kissing me would be a bad idea."
He raised his eyebrow in amusement, "Oh, so we are strictly staying on a first name basis now," he closed the gap between them again, "But I do so love it when you call me…."
"Gambit," she crossed her arms over her chest and smirked, "Or do you prefer Swamp Rat? Maybe the Cajun charmer? Mister thinks that his glowing eyes and devil smile are going to get him anything or anyone he wants."
His brow furrowed, "Well seems like there's no real need to be nice since you know me so well."
She placed her forehead on his chest "Don't take it personally Cajun," he stood perfectly still as she moved her hands up to his shoulders, "Though you really should to learn to stay on guard with me."
She kneed him in the gut as he was about to speak. He doubled over, trying to catch his breath. Saber tooth grabbed her fist and threw her as she was about to land another blow. Remy watched as she slammed into a tree before falling forward. She gasped for air as the giant cat picked her up by her neck. His stomach tied in knots as he watched. He scuffed when he noticed the beast had made sure to wear gloves. He raised a giant claw aimed directly at her chest. He looked away, not wanting to see the damage that was about to be done. He thought he'd hear her scream but heard a snarl instead. He looked back to see Rogue kicking Saber tooth in the chest. That's when he noticed it. She bit her lower lip to try and hide the pain but it was written all over her face. Her breath was labored as she gripped her stomach. He watched as blood poured from five gashes. She used her mouth to rip her glove off as she plopped on the ground. She smirked as she touched his arm with her bare hand. He staggered back then fell to the ground. He readied a card, seeing that she hadn't touched Saber tooth long enough to heal herself. He ran quickly, scooping her into his arms before Saber tooth could collect himself. He saw her trying to fight to keep her eyes open. Her face was racked with pain. He began to race towards his bike, unsure how he was going to get them both safely out of there.
"You still with me chere," he looked down at her, "It'd be a real shame if a pretty girl like yourself died."
She just stared at him, trying to stay conscious. She drew in a sharp, labored breath and clutched her stomach. He cradled her as close to him as he could while awkwardly but quickly situation them on his motorcycle. He sped away, noticing the hairy maniac getting up in his mirror. But he couldn't focus on that right now. He tried his best to keep her awake but was having little success. She listened as best as she could, only catching small fragments of each sentence.
He stopped at the gate of the institute, placing her glove free hand on the sensor. Once open he drove up the path leading to the front of the mansion. He all but dropped his bike at the patio steps and b-lined to the front door. He didn't even hesitated to cross the threshold as it opened before him. He dodged a punch from Wolverine but stopped at the bottom of the steps, looking up as Jean Grey and the Professor descended.
"Help her," he pleaded, "Please, she's in bad shape right now."
"What did you do to her," Wolverine snarled as he tried to rip her out of Remy's arms.
Professor raise a hand as he reached the bottom step, "Logan, Gambit is not to blame for this. Jean, please take show him the way to the Med Lab and quickly. Logan you stay here."
Remy bowed his head before following behind Jean. Logan growled but did as he was told. He didn't take kindly to having a member of Magneto's team in the house on any given day. But especially not the master thief holding on to one of his little girls. Nothing made Logan's blood boil more than someone harming Rogue or Laura.
"I don't trust it Charles," Logan grumbled, "Trouble seems to follow that kid around like a shadow."
"He risked his life to make sure she keeps hers. Why, I can't be sure but I know Magneto will view this as a betrayal," he looked up at Wolverine, "He is welcome to stay as long as he likes. Please try to be nice."
She blinked a few times, her head still foggy from passing out. She realized that she had somehow ended up in the Med Lab. She looked around the room. Three white walls and a fourth wall facing the exit, made entirely of glass. A dark figure in the corner caught her eye. He was fast asleep in one of the chairs, only stirring when he heard her surprised gasp. She tried to sit up straight but the pain in her stomach caused her to pause. It only took him a second to be up and across the room. Before she could speak he was helping her sit up, adjusting the pillows to make her more comfortable. He then walked back across the room to pull his chair closer to the bed.
"Thank you," she smiled slightly.
He plopped himself back into his seat, "You're very welcome. How're you feeling? You've been out for a couple of hours. I was starting to worry."
She blushed, "Why are you here? What I mean is, why are you allowed in here? Shouldn't you be back with Magneto giving him some sort of battle report? Why didn't you just leave me there to die?"
He looked away, "Couldn't do that petite. You still own me that kiss you were about to give me before we were so rudely interrupted."
Her face turned scarlet, "What?! You saved me so you could kiss me! You sick bastard!"
He smirked, "Don't act all shy and offended now. Besides, I never got a chance to thank you for the cheap shot to the face. Oh and kneeing me in the gut. It always has to end in violence with you."
"Well maybe you should learn to never put your guard down. No matter who stands in front of you," she grabbed around her stomach.
He followed her hand, "You okay," he asked while moving to sit on her bed side, "Let me take a look. I promise I won't hurt you," he pulled her hand off of her stomach, shifting her shirt slightly, "Looks like you need new bandages and another cleaning cherie. I'll go get the blue homme."
He stood and left to grab Beast. He took a few deep breathes, shaking his head. What was he doing? He didn't belong here. He knew she was in good hands with the X-men. He should have left the second he knew she'd recover. Magneto would have his head for this. He paused at the door as he heard her.
"Hey Remy," his name sounded like honey coming off her sweet lips.
He turned and faced her, "Chere?"
She hesitated for a moment then looked up at him, "Thank you for saving my life."
He felt his heart swell, "Anything for you mon amour."
Outside he took another deep breath. He should leave after grabbing Beast, not even step foot back in that room. He couldn't let himself do this, couldn't let himself feel this way. He was a man for hire, not some do-gooder that helped people. He didn't have those set of morals. Truth be told he wasn't entirely sure he even had morals.
"Ah, mister LeBeau," Beast greeted him, "What can I do for you?"
"Rogue is awake and I think her bandages need to be changed," he began, "Also her wounds may need to be cleaned. I nodded off at one point so I'm not sure the last time you did it. Not that I'm trying to tell you how to do your job mind you."
Beast smiled at the younger man, "No, it is time for them to get cleaned again. If you'd like to come with me. I feel Miss Rogue would feel better with you in the room."
He reluctantly followed the large blue man back to the room. So much for leaving without a word. Rogue smiled painfully but pleasantly as Beast approached her. He leaned her back and lifted her shirt above the wounds. The antiseptic stung as he cleaned out the healing gashes in her stomach. Remy walked to the other side of the bed and offered his hand. Rogue squeezed it as Beast continued to clean then redress the stitched wounds. She thanked him before he left then focused her attention back to the man who was once again seated in the chair.
"So I guess figured it out by now," she sounded tired and defeated.
"What's that," he looked at her, he'd never seen her look so fragile.
"That I have control over my powers. That I can touch people now without hurting them," she looked down, as though she was ashamed, "well, for the most part anyway."
"It may have been mentioned while they were patching you up," he smiled, "I bet your skin feels amazing."
She watched as he moved to the edge of her bed once more, "But I mean, I'm not a challenge. So there's really no reason for you to stay," she lowered her head, her hair covering her eyes, "To chase after me the way you do…or did, I guess."
He lifted her chin, making her eyes meet his. He was surprised to see that it looked like she was tearing up. He leaned in slowly, placing a light kiss on her forehead. Her skin tingled where his lips made contact. She could feel the blood rushing to her face, giving her cheeks a pink tint to them. He found it to be the most attractive thing he had ever seen. He couldn't help but stroke the side of her face with his hand. Her skin was just so soft, so new to him.
He wrapped his arms around her, "I'm not going anywhere, I promise. There's something different about you, something special. I honestly don't think I could bare to leave even if I wanted to."
They both looked as Logan coughed, "Hate to break up whatever is going on down here but it's time for dinner Gumbo. Also, Professor had one of the guest bedrooms set up for you."
"That was very kind of him," he smiled at Wolverine then turned back to Rogue, "want me to bring my food down here and we can eat together?"
She nodded, "I would like that very much, yes."
They ate in silence for the most part. She enjoyed his company a lot more then she thought she would. He stared at her occasionally, realizing she was staring back. She couldn't help but smile as they played this looking game.
He glanced at her, "What's your name chere?"
"You already know my name," she stared at him, confused.
He laughed, "Not your code name, your real name."
She stared blankly for a moment, then her expression changed to anger, "My real name is none of your business!"
His expression saddened, "Alright, no need to get so heated about it. You know my real name so I just thought it would be nice if I knew yours too"
She sighed, "Anna Marie. My real name is Anna Marie."
"Not that it's not a nice name but I have to say I kind of like Rogue better," he smirked, "it suits you more."
She stood up then leaned against the bed causing him to stand as well. She glanced back at him, his face laced with concern. She winced a bit but began to walk. He tried to help her but was rejected. She shrugged off two more of his attempts before he gave up. She walked to the bathroom.
He sighed as he sat back down, "You know I'm here to help."
She lowered her head as she closed the bathroom door. When she reemerged he was gone. She couldn't help but feel sad. She gasped as she tried to get back into bed. Two hands lifted her up, settling back on the bed. Once situated she looked to see Remy standing there, shirtless.
He smiled as he sat next to her, "See that wasn't so hard. And I have no…what are you staring at?"
She didn't respond. She just continued to stare at every well-defined muscle etched across his beautiful figure. She reached out her hand, placing it on his chest. His heart rate sped up at her touch. Then he noticed the slight blood seeping through her hospital shirt. He slowly got up to get Beast, all the while feeling a warm spot left by her hand.
"Well Rogue, your test results are normal, and your wounds have completely healed," Beast smiled at her, "I give you a clean bill of health. You are free to go."
"Thank you, Dr. McCoy," she smiled and began to walk out of the room but turned, "it's true right? I have my own room now?"
Beast smiled and nodded. She walked out of the room happily. She honestly didn't mind having her best friend Kitty as a roommate but it would be nice to have space to call her own. She grabbed a quick shower, enjoying the peace not sharing a bathroom brought. She put on a pair of baggy, worn out sweat pants and a deep purple tank top. She walked out of her room to the room four doors down. She knocked once with no answer. Hesitating for a moment she opened the door slowly. As she did Remy came out of the bathroom, nothing but a towel was draped over his right shoulder. Her jaw dropped and she gasped. He turned, staring at her. Her face turned bright red as her eyes fell from his chest to his lower half.
"I'm so sorry, I was just, well I was….," she tried to remember why she'd gone to his room in the first place.
He pulled the towel around himself, "Chere, can you either come in the room or close the door?"
She stood there, frozen. He walked over to her, pulling her in the room a quickly closing the door behind him. It was late so most of the teachers had gone to bed. The students were doing god knows what. Kitty had probably snuck Lance into her room and Jean was probably with Scott. Rogue sat on Remy's bed, watching him pull on a pair of pants. He slowly sat down next to her.
"Sorry about that. I didn't want to slam the door in your face," he smiled shyly.
She still just stared at him, "You, um, look really good," she looked down at her lap.
He lifted her chin with his hand. They stared at each other for a moment before he leaned closer to her. She could feel his breath on her face. Her heart started racing. His hand stroked her face as he leaned in even closer. She moved her face closer, hesitantly closing the space between them. He moved his hand from her face to the back of her head, the other going to the swell of her back. She moaned slightly at his touch, her lips feeling like they were on fire. So this is what a real kiss felt like.
She pulled away for a moment, "I just came here to say thank you for helping me these past few weeks and I know you have to go back to Magneto but I think that…"
He kissed her again, "You talk too much."
She smiled and kissed him again. He pulled her on top of him. She ran her fingers through his hair, kissing all over his face. He kissed along her jaw line to her neck. She moaned softly in his ear, causing him to harden. His hand slid up her shirt. Her hands slid down his neck to his chest. She gripped his shoulders, pulling him on top of her.
She looked at him, "I want you."
He kissed her again, slowly taking off her top. She sighed as he slid his hands down her side. Her hands found their way to his pants. She slid his pants off as he did the same. He lifted an eye brow when he realized she wasn't wearing underwear. She smirked, kissing his chest. Man, it had been a long time since a woman had kissed or touched him. He'd almost forgotten how nice it was, but even with the others, this was different. This time meant something. He fumbled around his desk drawer, pulling out a condom. He put it on quickly. She felt him enter. It was an odd mixture of pain and pleasure. She gasped and stiffened at first then relaxed, melting under each touch and kiss.
"Remy," her voice was like music to him.
A million thoughts were racing through his mind. He looked at her and she smiled. Her smile really was heart stopping. She pulled his face towards hers and kissed him passionately then pulled away. All he could do was stare. He'd dreamt of this moment for months. She pulled him in closer to her. He kissed her again and again, finally releasing moments later. He laid with her after, stroking her hair as he listened to her breathe. He kissed her forehead and slowly fell asleep.
"Magneto, it's me," she glared in the window again, "Gambit is sleeping with the enemy, he's no longer one of us. Yes I know that we could use this to our advantage but I'm not so sure that he'll come back. Yes of course I will try my best to make that happen. Understood."
She gracefully jumped off the ledge and left the mansion, avoiding all security.
"Chere, chere please, let me explain," he grabbed her wrist.
She pulled away, "I don't want explanations. Look, Remy, it was fun, yeah but come on, did you really think I could actually love someone like you? I deserve so much better."
She started to laugh. He'd never felt lower in his entire life. The ground around him fell, leaving him face to face with Magneto and Mystique. A girl lay on the floor next to them.
"Chere," he looked around, "Chere? Rogue! Chere!"
"She could never fall in love with someone lik you," Magneto laughed.
"No, you're wrong," he shouted, "Rogue?!"
"Remy," he felt her hand on his shoulders, shaking him, "Remy, Cajun wake up."
His eyes fluttered open, a pair of emerald green eyes meeting them. She smiled gently, running her fingers through his hair. He sat up, realizing he had no clothes on. He pulled the covers up to his waist. She blushed and he noticed she was wearing one of his baggy, slightly too large tee shirts. He bit his lip. He could get used to this.
"Are you alright? I mean," she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "you seemed like you were having a nightmare or something. I was worried about you. I went to grab a tee shirt and you started mumbling my name."
"It really happened then," he questioned, "It wasn't just a dream."
She smiled shyly, "Yes, we had sex. I, uh, well I gave you my virginity. I'm sorry if it wasn't very good."
He pulled her in to kiss her, "Don't be crazy, it was perfect."