Hey Everyone we're off to a good start! Thnx for the comments, I get so excited every time I see I have a new one! Southern Devil, this update's for you. And you pose a very interesting question RogueFreak. No, not brainwashed. It's just a bit of inner turmoil, or something to that effect. Honestly, I can't think of a good reason the two shouldn't be together myself, but then that would disrupt my entire chain of events that are to follow in the next two Parts of the trilogy (teehee). RG Marie, the answer is maybe/maybe/yes. Hawaiichick, would I have it any other way? And Grin Reaper, I'm glad someone finally said what we're all thinking...and, you had it right the first time. ;)
Remeber, more reviews more updates! Spread the word!
DISCLAIMER: You know the drill, it all pretty much belongs to Marvel
It had been days since any of the X-Men had seen Gambit, let alone spoken to him. Occasionally, the odd person would see him leaving the kitchen with food at unusual hours of the day, but that was pretty much it. He hid in his room, away from everyone and anyone. Rogue, on the other hand, was spending more and more time with Joseph, doing things that she never would have done herself. She, too, was rarely spotted around the mansion. Whenever she had a free moment to herself, she would lie down, or sit and stare lethargically into space, looking more tired as days progressed.
And it was just a few days ago that she had finally snapped. Storm, Jean and Jubilee had taken Rogue out to a wedding gown boutique in search of the perfect dress. After hours of scouring the racks, Jean mentally called her three friends to her side as she held up a pearly white dress, smiling from ear to ear. "This is it!"
For five whole minutes, Rogue sat in a chair opposite her gown, as it hung on the hook in the changing room. She hadn't even moved to start undressing. All she could think about was how each curve, each crease was so beautiful…and, right now, such a lie. It was only when Ororo called in after her, wondering what was taking so long, that Rogue was broken from her trance. She slowly undressed and pulled the gown over her head. She also put on a smile…another lie.
When she emerged from the change room everyone stopped to gawk, including other store employees and patrons. Jubilee clapped her hands over her mouth and squealed, while Jean gasped and sighed. Storm was the first who stepped forward. "Oh, darling, you are a vision!" She led Rogue to a small podium in front of a large tri-mirror and held her arm as she stepped up onto it. It was true, the gown was absolutely stunning. It was an empire waist, with off-the-shoulder sleeves. The silk fabric was skin-tight, and hugged her body as it slipped down past her hips, thighs and knees. It fanned out into a large, beautiful train at the back, which glided elegantly on the floor as she walked.
Rogue stared at her reflection in the mirror. She knew he would have loved it on her.
Her grin quickly faded, and she began to sob. Ororo ran to her side and lent her a shoulder to cry on, directing looks of confusion at the other two X-Women. Jubilee shrugged and Jean patted Rogue's back therapeutically. They attempted to usher her out of the store hastily but she refused to leave without the dress, claiming that she would wear it when she was ready. Back at the X-mansion she sported a sugary smile that everyone hated, save for Joseph, who commented on how lovely it was to see her so happy. She was heard later on that night crying herself to sleep.
Now, growing anxiety for both Gambit and Rogue appeared to manifest itself in most of their fellow X-Men, and a Saturday morning proved to be the perfect opportunity for Jean and Storm to voice their concerns. They had walked into the kitchen as Rogue was pouring herself a cup of coffee at the counter near the sink, wearing a terrycloth night robe over her pajamas.
"Mornin' gals." She smiled in an excessively cheerful manner, hoping to hide the twinge of tiredness to her voice. "Wanna cup?"
"No thank you." Jean complied, and Storm graciously shook her head.
"Fahn then, more f'me." Rogue winced as she sat herself in the kitchen chair opposite Storm, immediately taking a sip from her mug to distract herself from the pain of moving.
"Are you alright child?" Storm questioned straight away.
"Yeah, Ah'm jus' …sore." Rogue replied between sips. She nursed her coffee, hoping to pass over the uncomfortable subject rather quickly.
Ororo and Jean shared an apprehensive glare or two, before Jean spoke up again.
"Rogue, we really want to talk to you. Quite frankly, we're worried. About Gambit, about you, about Joseph…"
Rogue's eyes narrowed as her grip tightened over her coffee mug. "Why?"
Jean, realizing that she was treading in dangerous water, chose her words carefully. "We only want the best for you because we love you so much. You're like family, Rogue, and we don't want you to make, umm, misguided decisions just because…"
"Misguided?!" Her eyes were large now, mouth hanging open ever so slightly from utter shock. "What d'yah mean, misguided? What decisions are yah talkin' 'bout?"
"We feel that you are choosing to marry Joseph for the wrong reasons." Interjected Storm. She preferred the more abrupt and direct approach.
"Oh?" Rogue raised her eyebrow challengingly. "An' what reasons might that be?"
"Firstly" Ororo continued, "you are in love with the idea of being in love."
"Whah's that supposed t'mean?!" Her voice had raised a few decibels, only provoking Storm and Jean to speak in a calm and composed fashion.
Jean began again. "You're so wrapped up in the kissing, the snuggling, the entire romantic scene. No wonder why you are so enamored with Joseph, he's offering you all of the things you've been denied your entire life!"
"But that does not mean you are a perfect match for each other. It does not mean you should be married." Storm tried to add helpfully.
"Honestly, he doesn't even know you! The real you! When was the last time you both did something you enjoyed, just for you?" Jean paused, offering Rogue a moment to reflect, digest what they were saying to her.
"Plenty o' tahmes!" Rogue was trying to suppress her urge to yell at both of her friends. If she could even call them her friends anymore! They were ganging up on her! She wracked her brains, searching for something, anything to throw back in their faces. "He took me tah watch the sunset! He bought me flowers!"
"Yes, Rogue, but they were just romantic gestures. He hasn't taken the time to get to know what you like. And they weren't even your favorite flowers…"
Why can't Ah think of ANYTHING ELSE? Rogue felt her body heat up and her cheeks flush crimson. She was visibly enraged now. Lacking further arguments, she spat out the only thing she could invent in her own defense. "It doesn' mattah! Ah still loved them!"
"…This brings us to our second point." Storm pressed on with amazing composure. "You are pushing the one man away that knows you and appreciates you best. Gambit -"
"- ISN'T INTERESTED!!! AND AH'M NOT INTERESTED!!! AH LOVE JOSEPH!" Rogue was shouting loudly, her knuckles turning white around her mug that was shaking noticeably now, splashing light specks of coffee on the kitchen table.
"What do you mean, not interested? Rogue, he cares for you more than anyone! He hasn't spoken to anybody for days, he's so depressed." Jean pleaded softly, hoping to calm her raging friend down a notch.
"Oh yeah?" Rogue lowered her voice, but kept the tone harsh and cold. "If thah's true, then why did he push me away first, hmm? Ah flirted with him a while back…he jus' …turned away." Her throat seemed to tighten as she spoke. Did it still really bother her that much?
"Are you sure? That sure doesn't sound like Gambit." Jean frowned.
"AH COURSE AH'M SURE! Why would Ah lie 'bout that" She threw her arms up in the air in exasperation. "At least, ah thought he saw me flirtin' with him -"
"Oh my goodness, Rogue!" Storm gasped.
"WHAT?" Rogue's face was contorted with anger and hurt all rolled into one, as she turned to face Storm. It took her a few seconds to register what exactly her friend was staring at, so horror stricken. "Oh." Apparently when she had thrown her robed arms up into the air, her sleeves had fallen to her elbows, revealing a few blackened bruises just above her wrists. She lowered them, and gently pulled her sleeves up to cover the discolored flesh.
Both Jean and Ororo's eyes widened with fear. "Is he beating you?" Ororo inhaled deeply.
"NO!" Rogue hissed. "Now if yah both are done badgerin' me, Ah gotta go get ready. Joseph's takin' me out to a baseball game." She swiftly stood up, her chair almost toppling over as she did, and strode towards the door.
"But you hate baseball." Jean groaned. Fortunately, Rogue was already far from earshot.