WOOHOO! Ok, so a lot of people are off celebrating the holidays now, so I expect to see a lot of new updates in stories!!! And I am no exception. I haven't actually been writing anything for the fanfiction for a while because they were already pre-written. But now that both you and I have a little more time in our horribly busy schedules, and because I just had a stroke of genious in the shower a short while ago, we should get a few more posts up. This story is about to spiral out of control and, much to all of your delight, the plot is just starting to pick up speed. I need a mindmap to remember every little detail I have strategically placed. So don't forget about seatbelts, people!

I think it's safe to say we've offiicially lost RogueishLeia in fantasy land! LOL! I'm so glad that my stories add a nice calming break in between homework. Believe me, I share your pain. By the way, I love your stories...I secretly read them when I'm supposed to be doing work myself. Oh, and smile, this chapter is longer :) Remy'sRose, what would I do without you?! You make me jump up and down with excitement myself, I just stopped cuz I kept hitting my head. :S Don't worry I tink i okai naow. And I'm writing, I'm writing! xoxo inTHEgrid, I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT LEADS TO AND THIS IS IT FOR THEM, NO MORE STUPID ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN CRAP! WAHOO!!! AND I LOVE YOU FOR LOVING ME FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN! Hahaha, please don't ever stop reviewing!! Roguechere, I bet you can expect what's coming next...wink, wink ;) Rogue does have control, no need for the bracelet. That opens up a lot of doors. I chose door number 3. PeppermintLove, give it up! I know you have a dirty mind, missy! You can't hide anything from me! Nice reference to 'naughty' songs, by the way. Hawaiichick, is now a good time for an update? I hope so. The old fashions will be popular for a while, then I'm hauling in some new fashions.

AND TO ALL OF YOU OTHER READERS who don't review, just read, come on!!!!! I don't get paid to write, so I'm definately not in it for the money! Read, Review, Recycle! (I couldn't think of another "R" word)

DISCLAIMER: You know the drill, it all pretty much belongs to Marvel ...I'm just the pupeteer (dance puppets, dance!)
The morning light peeked in through the drawn blinds, settling on her eyelids. Rogue stretched out for the first time in hours now that Gambit had left the bed. She had spent the whole night in his room, just cuddling up next to him, skin touching skin, nothing sexual. "Not just yet, anyway." She bit her bottom lip, concealing an overwhelming smile. "Mornin', sugah." She called into the en-suite bathroom.

"Morning, mon amour." Gambit returned the greeting. He woke up earlier with Rogue's arms wrapped around his chest, and begrudgingly slipped out from under her body to shave. He needed a good shave. Although, he was finding it exceedingly difficult now that his heart was jumping around with a mind of its own, but he didn't care. He managed to cut himself a few times, too, but he just took it in his stride because nothing felt better than how he felt right now. They had broken down barriers last night.

Rouge ran her tongue lightly over her lips. She could still taste it; intimacy. It was an essence of comfort, of security. Not with the relationship, per say, but with each other. It was what their joining had skirted on in the past, but now they felt the full brunt of it. They had officially connected on an entirely different plane; with each kiss and each caress they delved deeper into each other's souls, resurfacing with stronger ties. No more doubt, no more torment. This was it, plain and simple. He had told her flat out that he loved her. She had said the same.

When they were both dressed and ready, they headed downstairs to the kitchen together. Their arrival was welcomed by a few gaping jaws, and the occasional whistle.

"Well, well, well. Look who's finally decided to join us downstairs for the first time in months." Jubilee teased Gambit, watching him head to the refrigerator to take out the milk.

"Welcome back Gambit!" Storm beamed. She had missed her friend dearly, and he, in turn, had missed her too. Rushes of welcomes were issued from each of the X-Men, following Ororo's lead.

"Good t'see you all again, mon ami." He said genuinely. He couldn't remember a day that he had felt happier than he did right now.

Unable to contain it any longer, Wolverine asked the question everyone was dying to know, but didn't dare to say. "So, where'd the swamp and sewer rats disappear to last night, anyway?"

"Oh, well…yah know…" Rogue opened the newspaper in a nonchalant manner, tantalizing her audience, grinning. Joseph stood grinding his teeth.

"Well, in actual fact, we didn't know. But I guess we can put two and two together…no pun intended." Scott laughed deliberately, watching Rogue blush incessantly at this remark. Gambit, on the other hand, placed an arm around Rogue's hip and pulled her closer to his body in an affectionate manner.

"If y'must know, homme, we didn't do dat. We jus'…talked."

"I'm sure." Logan growled, rolling his eyes in a circle.

A few weeks had passed, and the mansion was bustling with liveliness; new problems, new assignments, new training sessions, new relationships…

Gambit and Rogue were going strong. Even though they had just started dating again recently, they were involved as if they simply picked up where they had left off (minus the intense drama and fights…well, mostly). They were comfortable together, meshing into each other's lives with ease.

Yet tonight, Gambit felt neither comfortable nor at ease. Truth be told, his heart was pounding wildly and his mind was immersed in thought. He paced back and forth in the front hallway of the institute, trying to calm himself down to the rhythmical sound of his feet.

Just then, a young Jubilee galloped down the hall, her smile widening as she approached him. "Hey Gambit! Don't you look smart!" She looked him up and down, taking in his black pant suit with white-collared shirt (traditionally unbuttoned slightly at the top, as he always did). "Why all the class?"

"Takin' Rogue out t'night, Jubes." He stated anxiously, glaring down at his watch. "Thas if she decide t'come."

"Ah, I see. And that brings me to my next question. Why all the sweat? Nervousness is just not a good look for you."

Gambits eyes widened slightly as he met Jubilee's inquiring watch. "Gambit be dat obvious, petite?"

Jubilee thought for a moment, biting her lip. Within seconds, her mouth dropped open in astonishment. "You're…you're gonna –"

"He's what, Jubilee?" Rogue piped in cheerfully, benevolently descending the mansion stairs. She was clothed in an elegant green cocktail dress that cut off just above the knees with a tad of ruffling frill. It had a plunging neckline that enclosed the single-diamond necklace she wore. Her hair was pulled back in a loose up-do, permitting her white streaks to hang gracefully, framing the sides of her face.

"Dieu! Rogue, you look …gorgeous!" Gambit inhaled. He was taken aback by Rogue's beauty, not that she wasn't always stunning in his eyes.

"Wow! Can I borrow that dress?" Jubilee asked, half joking, half serious. Before she could get a proper response from Rogue, Jubilee winked to both of them and said "I'll leave you both to your wonderful evening plans. Play nice!" And with that, she turned steadily on her heels and disappeared into the heart of the mansion.

"What in the world was that about?" Rogue queried, laughing slightly.

"Dunno, chèrie." Gambit turned to face the front door and offered Rogue his arm. "Shall we?"

Rogue chuckled softly and hooked her arm in his. "Lead on, Cajun!"

Rogue dabbed the creases of her lips after finishing her romantic candle-lit dinner of fine Italian foods. She released a heavy sigh, and leaned back into her chair, resting her arm on her stomach. "Now that was some meal. Ah think yoah gonna haftah roll me on home."

"Not just yet, mon coeur." Immediately after counting out a tip for their waiter, Gambit slid his chair out from underneath him, stood up, and stepped over to Rogue's side. He helped her out of her seat, leading her out of the restaurant to a horse and buggy that was parked right outside. "Look f'miliar?"

"Oh, swamp rat, you've really outdone yoahself this tahm." Rogue rolled her eyes in exasperation. Remy held her arm as she climbed into the carriage, and then followed suite. He motioned for the driver to guide them around a few blocks, and then positioned his arm around her waist. She leaned her head sideways onto his shoulder, and closed her eyes. "Thank yah Remy, for a wonderful naht. Ah had a wonderful tahm."

" 'S not over yet, mon amour." He spoke softly into her left ear. He first gently lifted her chin off of his shoulder, and then pointed to the sky. "Look at de stars, Rogue. Dey're beautiful t'night. Almost givin' you a run for y'money…Almost."

She blushed, and looked up at the night sky. "Y'all be lucky if ya get yoah arm back, sugah. Ah wish tonight would nevah end. Y'ever feel lahke that, Rems?"

"Mary me."

"What?!" Her head jerked back down to face him, and she found herself staring squarely at an engagement ring. She was stunned. She blinked once, and just sat there in silence, staring at the ring for what felt like hours to Gambit.

…

"Girl, y' gotta say sumtin'."

"Yah didn't steal that, did yah?"

"Okaayyy…not exactly de reaction Gambit lookin' for." He lowered the ring to his side. "Mebe dis be a bad idea."

"Yes." Rogue's lips curved up at the sides ever so slightly, all the while keeping her focus on the Cajun.

"Oh." He lowered his eyes, and pulled a ring box out of his trench coat's pocket to place the ring back inside. "Well den…" He forced a weak and nervous smile to hide his obvious dejection.

Suddenly, letting out a short laugh, Rogue reached out and placed her hand on his. "No…no, Cajun…yes, as in 'Yes Ah'll marry ya.' "

SNEAK PEEK: (it's the one you've all been waiting for)

Instinctively, he reached out and grabbed her arms to pull her close, to show her how intimate they could be without any of the pressures of sex. However, he was shocked to see her wince and recoil at his touch, something she almost always invited nowadays. He started to frown, lines building over his brows. Following a sudden moments thought, he pulled her shirt sleeve up to reveal skin of black and blue, a succession of bruises lining her forearms.