A/N I don't particularly have anything to say. Shocking, isn't it?
Gambit seamlessly worked into the mansion's routine of chores, classes and training. He ventured out in the real world too, though it was often in the company of Rogue, Logan or sometimes Storm. Storm, strongly suspected Gambit was uncomfortable not knowing why he was attacked so he stuck with groups. Not that she would ever mention thinking that to him.
"I don't understand it," Kitty said between mouthfuls of popcorn. "There's almost no Brotherhood movement at all. It's like Magneto's taking a holiday." They were gathered in the rec room on a Friday night, enjoying the start of their weekend. Gambit was playing a game of pool with Logan while Rogue, watching on, acted as their bookie. Kitty, Pete, Jubilee and oddly, Storm and Emma were flipping through the various channels, now on a news station.
"It is odd," Storm agreed over the story of a record breaking sky dive. If that was the most interesting thing the news had to report, she supposed she should consider them all lucky. They broke into discussion of training, tactics and mutants rights, and Gambit frowned, looking at Logan oddly.
"What, Cajun?" he asked, taking his shot. Gambit shook his head.
"Nothing, I just had de feeling I needed to ask or tell yo' something. I just can't remember."
"Seems to be a theme for you," Logan grunted.
"Look's who's talking," Gambit quipped. "Hey Rogue, still want t' see dat movie with me, Logan and Stormy tomorrow?"
"I actually can't," she said apologetically. "I have a sessions with Emma, then I booked some danger room time."
"What do yo' do in dose sessions, meditate for nirvana?" he asked, sinking the seven ball. Emma shot him a dirty look from the couch.
"No, though there is meditation involved," Rogue said. She took in his jittering leg and the fingers twirling the pool cue. "Something you probably would benefit from."
"Ha, ha."
"It's true. But we work on trying to control my powers and figure out why I can't."
"I hope that happens soon," Bobby muttered, but only loud enough for Logan to hear, and Emma could 'hear'. She shot him a scathing look that clearly said she would get him later for that. Logan felt a surge of affection for the woman.
"I actually can't make it either," Storm said.
"Well Monsieur Logan, looks like it's just yo' and me," Gambit said.
"Then let's modify it from a movie night to a bar night."
"I can get on board with dat."
So the next night, while Rogue set off for Emma's room, Logan and Gambit took off for the bar. Gambit was a few bottles in and actually feeling a bit tipsy, when he was approached by a very shapely blonde. After a few minutes of flirting, she walked away in search of other prey.
"I'm starting to think your rumored ladies man status is nothing but lies," Logan commented, going back to his nineteenth beer.
"Believe me, dey're not," Gambit promised, taking another swig. "Plus, not dat it's a requirement, but I prefer brunettes."
"I've seen you turn brunettes away, too," Logan said. "Or are you thinking brunettes like Rogue?"
"I never said dat mon ami," Gambit said smoothly.
"That's good," Logan said. "Only reason I don't wring little ice-boy Drake's neck is they're already together and she'd be pissed."
"She'd be pissed if yo' made me into a Cajun kabob."
"Only a little."
"But no, dat's not de reason," Gambit said. He took the last drink of his bottle and sighed. "It's dat…I don't know what happened. It could have been just a bar fight dat got out of control, though I doubt it. Most likely, someone big and bad wants my head and I don't know who."
"Don't you have slippery contacts to go to for something like that?"
"The slipperiest. But dey've heard nothing. Same with my famille and de guild. Which makes me paranoid. What if de next femme I seduce has my name on an assassin's roster? Non, for now, dis is better."
Logan nodded in acknowledgement. "I understand you there." They were silent for a few minutes before Gambit spoke again.
" I don't remember deux weeks of August, yo' can't remember decades of your LIFE. I can't imagine mon ami…and I respect yo' for not going bonkers. Though if you ever repeat dat, I'll blame it on your brain injury."
By the time they got back to the mansion, Rogue was the only one up, sitting in the rec room reading. She looked up as the two men walked in, reeking of alcohol.
"Whooooa," Rogue said as Gambit plopped down next to her, smelling very much like he'd been dumped in a swimming pool of bourbon. Logan chuckled and sat on the chair across from the couch. "Did you guys drink the whole bar?"
"Close," Logan said. They laughed. "How'd your session go?"
"Same," Rogue said with a shrug, avoiding their eyes. "Makes it hard to sleep." Logan leaned over and clapped heron the shoulder. She gave him a small smile.
"It's helping though, right?"
"I think so," she said. "Emma says she's pretty sure I've been blocking myself because I've been so scared after what happened with David…and you." She threw him an apologetic look.
"Don't worry darlin', you already know that wasn't your fault." He stood, cracked his neck and headed to bead, calling over his shoulder, "You'll get it." Gambit looked over to Rogue.
"What happened with David and Wolvie?" he asked. The look on Rogue's face was near anguish, and he instantly regretted asking. "Desole, I didn't mean…"
"You know how mutations usually are triggered by emotions?" Rogue interrupted him. He nodded. "Mine manifested during my first kiss."
"Oh chere."
"He was in a coma for awhile. Then I absorbed Logan when he accidently stabbed me in the chest."
"When he what?"
"Yep," she continued. "Then, well you remember the whole Liberty Island thing? Yeah, Magneto transferred his power to me and used me to power the machine because it would kill whoever used it, and he was too high and mighty to die for his cause. So it nearly killed me, by the time Logan saved me I was unconscious and he touched me…he was in a coma for a long time." Gambit took her hand. "Funny," she said musingly. "He's the only one here that I've really hurt and he's still the only one that isn't afraid to touch me."
"I'm not afraid of yo'," he said.
"That's because you're crazy," she laughed, then sobered. "Even Bobby hesitates…"
"I've noticed," he said. Rogue winced.
"It's not really something that's easy to bring up to him."
"How do yo' guys…get around de touching thing?" he asked. Rogue blushed.
"Not easily. It's…challenging. And we haven't done anything in awhile, too many accidents." Rogue paused and looked over at him. "Why am I telling you this?"
"Because I'm your friend and yo' need someone t' talk t'," Gambit said with a shrug.
"Mm," Rogue said. "I'm working with Emma, she thinks it's doable."
"Key is de confidence," Gambit said. "Yo' need t' believe yo' can do it."
"Funny, that's what Emma said."
"What do yo' know, skank bag and I agree on something. Be still my heart." Rogue laughed. She stood and stretched. Gambit followed her movements with his eyes.
"I probably should try to sleep," Rogue said. "Goodnight, Gambit."
"Remy," he called. "Call me Remy."
Rogue smiled. "Goodnight Remy."
"Goodnight chere," he called after her, then muttered ,"Yo' deserve much better dan what yo' have."
Rogue paid even closer attention to Bobby's actions since Gambit told her he had noticed the distancing behavior. She tried sitting closer to him, holding his hand more, even the quick kisses they usually manage with thick lip balm were rejected. Rogue was hurt, embarrassed, and pissed.
Their fights became louder and more public, even to the point where Storm had to intervene. Logan, in the middle of one of their fights, offered to gut him like a tuna. Rogue narrowed her eyes dangerously at Bobby and said she'd consider it.
Things were quieting down between them when Bobby walked into the rec room and was displeased with what he saw. Rogue was leaning on Gambit's shoulder, nearly asleep from the long day of training. Gambit patted her knee and Bobby fumed.
"Seriously, what's wrong with you?" Bobby yelled, storming into the room. Rogue and Gambit looked up, both expected Bobby to be yelling at Rogue. "Can't you find yourself a girlfriend of your own?"
"What?" Gambit asked.
"You flirt with everyone! Can't you just leave her alone?"
"Bobby," Rogue hissed.
"Stop touching my girlfriend!"
"Well someone should," Gambit said coldly. An unnatural hush fell over the room.
"What?" Bobby said.
"Yo' heard me," Gambit said. He stood, walked past the stuttering Bobby.
Rogue walked up and snapped, "You're such an ass!" before storming out of the mansion. A few seconds later, they heard the roar of her motorcycle leaving the mansion. Logan walked up to the embarrassed Bobby and unsheathed his claws an inch from his face.
"Watch yourself, boy," he growled, before stalking out. Jubilee and Kitty followed, shaking their heads.
Rogue came back a few hours later, but stayed in the garage working under the hood of one of the school's cars. Gambit came in an hour or so later and started wordlessly assisting her. Rogue accepted the silent help, content with spending all her attention on the unhappy engine. After a few hours of work, they washed their hands and made their way into the mansion.
"Desole," he said when they were right outside the door.
"Sorry? For what?" she asked.
"For causing problem with yo' and Bobby."
"No," Rogue said, shaking her head. "We've been having problems all by ourselves. You just helped make them more vocal." Gambit snorted at that. He highly doubted Rogue needed any help being vocal.
"Yo' deserve someone who craves t' touch yo', not just who holds hands for public viewing. Yo' deserve a man, not a boy, who will caress yo' and can't wait t' get yo' alone, not just someone who touches yo' when yo' ask." Rogue looked away, heart beat speeding. "Something t' consider." He turned and marched inside.