Ororo felt butterflies dancing in her stomach as she watched familiar rode passing by. They were almost to Greymalkin Lane, and the last few days had been full of laughter and enjoyment. In Charleston, Remy'd taken her to a open air theater, and then to an italian restraunt. Not the expensive kind, the way they were dressed, but a mom and pop's place that had incredible food.
As had become their ritual, they'd spent each night together. Nothing ever happened, but he didn't shut his eyes when she undressed at least. Nothing ever happened though, and Ororo wasn't sure if that was because they'd become like brother/sister, or why. She knew she was part of his family now though, had been for weeks. Ever since the night he'd opened up to her, she had known she was one of a very small group in the world. She was one of Remy LeBeau's friends.
And soon, he'd be meeting her friends. How would Charles react to him? Scott would hate him, she was sure. Jean would find him amusing. He better not moon after Jean the way every other man seemed to, she'd hit him with lightning. It'd be embarassing, if he did that. In bad taste, she thought.
Remy for his part was driving once again – something she'd learned to enjoy. He seemed to not comprehend what speed limits were for, but he never got a ticket. The devils own luck in avoiding law enforcement, or maybe just skill, although she couldn't imagine how he did it. He drove like a mad man, always above the speed limit, always cutting people off. Getting in a car with him was an adventure in and of itself, but she'd come to find she delighted in it almost as much as he did.
Well, once she realized she wasn't actually in any danger of him getting her killed with his driving, at least. Riding with Remy couldn't help but make you feel alive, as wind whipped at open windows, messed up hair. They'd picked up a cherry red mustang convertible when they left Tante's. Remy saying he might as well just get his own car, instead of keep stealing them, since they were going somewhere legit.
When the car stopped in front of the gates, Ororo found herself laughing.
"Thought ya said dat dis be a school, Stormy? Dis dont look like no school to me." He was eying her dubiously, and eying the sprawling estate and mansion behind the gates. She just winked at him, and reached over to push the buzzer. Scott's voice greeted her.
"Yes? How can I help you?" "It's Ororo, Scott. Buzz us in please."
"Storm! We've been worried about you... us? Uh. Sure."
The gates swam open, and Remy just shrugged his shoulders, and floored it. When the mustang came to a halt in front of the mansion, the car skid a few inches at the rapid stop, and at the steps leading to the door Scott and Jean were looking on in astonishment, at the display of driving. Oh yes, Remy LeBeau would make life interesting, for how ever long he stayed. Which if she had her way, would be a long time. She caught his look though, as she stepped out to get hugged by Scott and Jean. He didn't want her using his real name yet. Just Gambit, until he had decided if he trusted using his real name or not.
After hugs were exchanged, Storm found Jean looking her up and down with a grin on her lips. "Nice outfit, 'Ro. I didn't know you had it in you."
She felt a slight blush rise in her cheeks, and returned the grin. She was wearing a short leather skirt – at least short by her normal standards. It almost went to her knees. Almost. Black heels. And a tight black top that showed some of her stomach. Scott on the other hand was studiously not looking at her in her new outfit that Remy had picked out for her during their spree in Charleston.
"Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend, Ororo?" Scott asked, as Charles wheeled out onto the front steps with a small smile. "Welcome back Ororo, but Scott is right. I think introductions are in order."
Ororo turned her head, expecting to find Gambit at her side, or behind a step, but he was leaned against the drivers door, smoking a cigarette. He cut a dashing figure today. Black jeans a black shirt, his duster, sunglasses. His shirt and pants seemed to have the same light slashes at the knees and about the body that all of his clothes that weren't new had. Seeing her gaze, he offered a grin and wandered over slowly, but didn't throw his cigarette away. He wouldn't change who he was just to impress her friends, he'd told her. She wouldn't have let him even if he'd tried.
"Professor Xavier, Scott Summers, Jean Grey, I'd be more then happy to introduce you to Gambit, my knight in shining armor when I ran into problems."
As predicted, Scott was frowning. Jean was eying Remy appreciatively, no doubt why Scott was frowning, but Charles had a grin on his lips too. Faint, but it was there.
"Bonjour. Any friends of Stormy's is a friend of mine. She has spoken highly of you all." He shook hands with Scott, kissed Jean's hand, and shook Xavier's. And ignored her "Don't call me Stormy, it's a silly name." beyond acknowledging her with a simple "D'accord."
Yet that simple name had apparently set all three of them both at ease, and cautious. They'd never seen anyone who could banter with Ororo, or would call her Stormy. A student had once, and after that punishment, no one ever had again. Not even her fellow X-men.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Gambit. Come in, all of you. There is a lot to discuss. Scott, why don't you show Gambit to an open room, and help him bring in his and Ororo's things, while Jean and I catch up with Ororo?"
Scott seemed surprised at that, at Xavier's immediate assumption Gambit was staying, but Storm was thankful he had. Remy'd have a harder time running when he knew he was welcome right off the bat.
"Give him a room near the attic entrance, if one is available please?" That got surprised looks too, no doubt they were making assumptions based on how she was dressed, or the way Remy stood close to her, protective of her. How they'd have sputtered if they knew he'd be spending his nights in the attic anyway.
Feeling more self possessed and confident at the School then she had in a long time, she smiled, patted Remy on the hand. "Play nice with Scott" she told him, and then lead a one woman procession into the mansion, Charles and Jean falling in behind her sharing a look.
"So, Gambit? Interesting name. Since you called Ororo Stormy, I'm guessing you know about the X-men? I'm called Cyclops." Scott added, as he saw Remy nod. He was confused. This man was not at all what he expected. He couldn't have been much younger, or older, then he was, but he was self confident. He also moved with a deadly grace that set him to worrying. He'd only seen that kind of walk in a few people, and never so pronounced. Wolverine moved almost like that, but a bit more feral. This gambit, whoever he was, moved with fluid movements. He couldn't decide if it was like a snake, or what comparison came close to being correct.
"We can just talk until you finish your cigarette, no smoking in the mansion."
Gambit again nodded. "D'accord. Stormy said dis was a school, where all de students?"
Scott frowned. How much had Storm told him? "We had an incident a few days ago. Since it's Summer, we sent most of the kids who have families home for a few weeks while repairs are made. We only have two of the older students still here with us. Those who didn't want to go home, or lack homes to go to, went to Scotland for a couple weeks vacation with an associate of the school."
Scott expected questions about what kind of trouble, instead he just nodded as if trouble was expected, then finished his cigarette. As Scott was about to tell him not to just litter, the butt began to glow fuscia, and a few moments later it was seared out of existance. He wasn't sure what he'd just seen, or even if he saw what he thought he just had.
"Well, let's get to hauling luggage. Women. Jean always relegates me to carrying stuff on our vacations too."
Gambit laughed. "Ya got a good woman dere, homme. She awful in love wit' you too, pretty obvious. But tell me homme, ya woman, she have dis much luggage?" A thumb was jerked at the back seat of the mustang and all of the duffles and suitcases there, and then he popped the trunk, revealing it too was full.
Scott found himself blinking, and just staring. "Most of this is Ororo's?"
"Yup. Mebbe a quarter of it be mine. We do some shopping, an well. Stormy, she liked a lot of things, so I got dem for her." Gambit's grin annoyed him. As did the way he referred to Stormy. It was entirely to personal, for only having known her a month at most. Something about this Gambit just rubbed him the wrong way in general. He was too loose, to .. secretive. Who called themselves by their code name all the time?
"You gonna help den, Cyke?" The question stirred him from his disapproving frown, and he noted Remy had already slung a duffle over each shoulder, and grabbed two suitcases. Shrugging, Scott grabbed some, and lead the way up to the room. Then he had to go to another, because Ororo had asked to have him close by hers. That meant putting him in the teachers quarters rather then guest quarters, but it would work out. The room next to his and Jean's was open, and the attic entrance was right across the way.
Pushing the door open, Scott let Gambit go first, then followed him.
The cajun just nodded, eying the room. "Not bad. Place decorated pretty well. Few pieces dat be out of place, but whoever chose most of de paintings did it wit' a pretty fine eye for art."
As they off loaded the bags, Scott noticed Gambit was still wearing his glasses in doors. "The professor decorated it. Before he opened the mansion as a school, it was his family home. Do you always wear your sunglasses in doors?"
"Heh. You one to talk homme. But most of de time, yea. Got an eye condition."
Scott felt himself blush, realizing the irony of him bringing it up. "Oh. Me too. An eye condition that is. My powers.. well. These glasses are all that stop them."
"Bet dat's hell on ya nose and ears, mon ami. Now how bout we grab de rest of dem bags, den you show me where de kitchen is? Stormy, she was in such a tizzy to get back here dat we skipped lunch."
"Oh. Of course. You don't want to go join her and the Professor right away?"
"Non. Pretty obvious dey want to find out what she been up to, and about me. Dey have dere time, while I eat make food for me an Stormy. She find me when dey done, or come get me, I figure."
"Right." Scott felt even more ill at ease. This cajun was secretive, and seemed to think everyone else was as well. The worst part was, he was right. He hadn't said it, but he seemed to know Scott had even been asked to try to feel him out.
I hope it's going better in the office for you, Jean.
Not much better, lover boy. Came the answer.
Charles was watching Storm. She had a worried frown on her face, after learning what happened with the Shadow King here at the school. She had calmed a little when she found out no one had been injured too badly, mostly just property damage.
".. So, after your run in with the Shadow King, our young friend Gambit saved you. Then you spent weeks travelling together, before his friend helped restore your memories?" Charles knew his curiosity was evident in his question, but he also knew Ororo wouldn't hide anything too important from them.
"That's mostly right. After Atlanta, we spent some weeks travelling together. Gambit wanted to take me straight to his Tante, but I insisted we take our time." Charles knew he wasn't the only one confused, because it was Jean who asked "Why?"
At which Ororo frowned, and tapped her fingers against her chair. "Gambit is a thief."
She'd been about to say more, Charles thought, but Jean gasped. "A thief? And you brought him here Ororo? But what about the children?"
"That is unfair, Jean. Ororo herself is a skilled pick pocket, if you remember. What was it the two of you occupied your time with before going to this Tante woman, Ororo?"
Ororo flashed him a thankful smile for redressing Jean for her. "We were stealing. Gambit is.. as cliché as this might sound, does sound even, he's the quintessential Robin Hood. He was stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. His targets were always other criminals, or the corrupt, taking ill gotten from them, and bettering the lives of those who he found to be deserving of help."
"And I suppose he didn't find the deserving very often, and most of that money lined his pockets?" Jean's voice was laced with suspicion.
"No, not at all. Gambit keeps some for himself, obviously, but never more then fifty percent, usually more like a quarter. He honestly wants to help people, needs to help people. He has a troubled past, and has been wronged by many people. He doesn't trust easily, he doesn't even realize how pure his own heart is, but he's not greedy."
Jean looked unsure, but Charles was nodding. "That explains it."
Both women frowned at him. "Explains what?"
"His mental shields. If he has been wronged, and trusts little, it explains why his mental shields are so strong. Even if they weren't, it might be hard to read Gambit. He's surrounded by a.. static. Is Gambit a telepath, Ororo?"
Ororo laughed to his surprise, then shook her head. "No Professor, he isn't. Gambit's something very different, but you will have to ask him. I won't betray his trust in me."
Charles glanced at Jean, and saw she was still frowning. "Ororo, do you know his real name? You seem to know an awful lot about him, and trust him a great deal. For our own peace of mind, could you explain that?"
"Yes, please." Jean's voice was still full of suspicion and doubt, but he couldn't entirely blame her. She was worried about her friend.
"I know his real name. I know him very well. I've met his family, and know him in some ways better then he knows himself. So believe me when I tell you he's no threat to us, unless you make him one. Gambit is dangerous, perhaps one of the most dangerous people we've ever had under the roof. But he's no threat, he would protect every one of us with his life if he had to."
"You seem very sure of that, Ororo. I hope your right." Some of Jean's skepticism, some of it, seemed to be abating.
"Well, with such a sterling recommendation, I can hardly complain. Although I may have to keep an eye on my valuables with such a skilled thief in the mansion." Charles laughed, and saw that some of Ororo's tension finally left her. She'd been afraid, very afraid, that they might not let Gambit stay. Whoever this cajun thief was, he'd made an impressive bond to Ororo in such a short time.
"Good. I'm glad to hear that. If you give him a chance, he may trust you as he trusts me."
""Ro.. are you in love with him?" Jean asked, and Charles hid his smile behind his cup of tea. He was very much curious to hear the answer to that as well.
While Ororo blushed faintly, but she didn't look away. "I don't know, Jean. I can never tell. I am his friend. He's a friend, but he could be my brother, or.. I just don't know."
Charles kept his smile hidden, as the two women seemed to temporarily forget he was there.
"Well, I'm glad you found a friend at the least, 'Ro. He's good for you, I've never seen you so confident before. Whether he's your friend, or your lover, I'm glad."
Both looked surprised, when Charles coughed faintly. "Perhaps we should adjourn to the kitchen? Scott just informed me that Gambit has almost finished a late lunch for us all."
The telepathic summons for lunch had cost her missing the ping pong ball, and allowed Bobby Drake to raise his hands in a cheer of victory. "I won, Jubes! You're stuck doing my laundry for a week!"
"That was so a cheat, Drake. The Prof just jumped in my head, said we're supposed to go join everyone for lunch. Which I can smell from here, smells hella good. Little spicy though, I wonder who cooked."
"Dunno... hey, who's Mustang is that out there in the drive?"
"Woah. Now that is a car. Whoevers it is better let me drive it! Wonder when it got there, we weren't that into the game."
"No, but you had the stereo on so loud we couldn't have even heard Scott lecturing us."
"True that, Bobby. Let's go pig out."
The two nodded, and wandered through the all too empty halls, towards the kitchen. Yet when they stepped in, they both stopped short. For one, the food smelled insanely good. For two, Miss Munroe was standing at the counter pulling plates from a shelf.
Jubilee whistled. "Woah, Miss Munroe. You're looking smoking. Welcome back!" While Bobby just murmured "Yeah, what Jubes said.. Welcome back!" the last was louder then the first though.
Jubes was surprised. Normally Storm never dressed like that, showing leg and belly and a clingy shirt that showed cleavage. Definitely weird, but maybe it was just because the students were gone? Her and Bobby were brought out of there thoughts however, by the voice that answered – not the stern 'Jubilee' from Scott, or the harumphing sound from Jean.
It was a rich voice, and came from the by the stove. "See Stormy? I toldja. You look tres belle in dat outfit, an even dese two can see. Though ya might wanna not take fashion advice from de petite in de yellow jacket. Eck. Den again, de boy mebbe not much better. Dere other places t'shop den de Gap, homme."
"Gambit, how many times must I tell you? Do not call me that silly name." Lightning danced at her finger tip. "Jubilation Lee, Bobby Drake, meet Gambit. Gambit, Jubilee and Bobby."
"Hey, this coat rocks! Sides, least I'm not wearing glasses in doors. At least Mr Summers has an excuse, and is that accent real?" Jubilee knew she was babbling, as she took in the man called Gambit. He was tall, taller then Scott, and built like woah. His grin should have been a sin, and she felt her knees getting weak, and a fire building in her body. Wow. She thought Storm had been dressed to kill, but this dude. Those jeans were tight, and his ass was great, at least what she saw while he finished lunch, and that shirt was painted on.
If it had been painted on, she wouldn't have minded licking it off.
"Jubilee!" Scott again, damnit. And before Bobby talked, which from the way Bobby swallowed his words, Jubilee knew if he'd waited a moment longer he'd have been lecturing both of them.
"Don' worry Cyke, de petite just got her back up cuz I made fun of de coat. Don' worry bout it though, eh? People always knock my duster too. As for de shades.. eye condition, ya might say."
Jubilee felt like she was in love. Even if he was calling her petite. He was hot, easy going, and if the duster sitting on the back of one of the chairs at the table was his, had a major sense of style. Even his sunglasses were designer.
"Eye condition, like red eye?" For some reason, Storm was laughing, and after a moment, so was Gambit, while Scott shoed everyone to the table. In moments, Storm and Gambit had served everyone. It was spicy, a cajun dish, but she noticed he'd prepared equal amounts of salad and bread for himself and Storm. Except unlike her, he also ate some of the meat, but kept mostly to the salad and breads and rice.
Before conversation could start up again once dinner was served though, Gambit looked at Storm, who nodded, and he just shrugged. "Well Jubilee, ya might say dat it kinda like red eye. Wanna see?"
The adults were looking curiously at eachother, and then at Gambit, while Jubilee just nodded. She wanted to see anything he'd show her. He probably had super sexy brown eyes, or maybe green. His hair had a red tinge to the brown, he might have green? Although that might look weird.
When Gambit's shades were set on the table, and he opened his eyes again, everyone at the table but Storm gasped lightly. Oh wow. Those are like, the coolest eyes I have ever seen.. Ever.
"T'anks petite." With a start, Jubilee realized she'd said it out loud. Yet his words released the spell that had settled over the table, as everyone took in the red on black eyes that periodically flickered with reddish energy. So unique of eyes, the reds looked more like coils of energy, or a core of energy, then actual human anatomy.
"You're a very accomplished cook, Gambit. Do you do non cajun dishes?" Jean's tone seemed respectful, and curious. While a few people at the table wanted to chuckle. Jean liked to try and cook, but she really wasn't very good at anything but pancakes. Even Scooters cooking was better most of the time.
"He is, isn't he?" Storm was giving Gambit a look though, as if it was news to her as well, and she didn't appreciate him not telling. A stab of jealousy flared through Jubilee. Was Gambit why she was dressed like that? Were they an item? That man was sin incarnate, she wouldn't know what to do with someone like him.
"Oui. I can cook jus' bout anything. Spicy dishes and deserts be my specialty, but if ya gotta recipe, den I can make it. Why, ya need some help wit' de fine art o puttin a bun in de oven, chere?"
Wow. He's such a flirt. I think that was a flirt. From the way Scott's frowning, and Jean's not looking at either one of them, it must have been. But Miss Munroe is laughing, and so is the Professor. Why would they do that if he was flirting? I'm sooooo confused.
At least the food was good. And the eye candy in cajun wrapping was even better.
"You have them all confused, I think." Storm offered, as she stepped out of her bath room, a thin white night gown covering her. Remy just watched her, letting his eyes roam the barely covered form, as he shifted under her blankets, making room for her in the bed.
"Yea, well. Dey got me a lil confused too, so it fair, ain't it?"
Her laughter was muted as she pulled the gown over her head, let it fall onto the floor, and climbed into bed with him, wrapping an arm around him and ruffling his messy hair. Her own was calm, it'd had all the usual combing out she ritually did each night. Gambit shifted, and brushed his face against her hair, and smelled it lightly.
"Like dat shampoo. It smell good. What it be? Shoulda found some for ya while we was travellin." Remy murmured, while wrapping his own arm around her form, pulling her closer.
"I order it from an herbal catalogue. It is quite pleasant. Did anyone see you coming up?"
"It matter if dey did?" He asked curiously. He wasn't sure if she was ashamed he might be here now that her friends were around, or just self conscious. She'd seemed it at lunch and dinner. As if now that her old friends were around, she wasn't quite sure how to deal with him.
"Not at all. Just curious if I'm going to be accosted with more thoughts that I'm sleeping with you."
Remy laughed, and ran his fingers through her hair. "Stormy, hate to break it to ya, but you are sleeping wit' me. In de buff."
She poked him in the side, and gave him an annoyed look. "Yes, but we aren't.. sleeping together, and they will think we are."
"I know. But who cares what dey t'ink? If dey don't understand, dat dere problem. I don' care, but if dey be disrespecting you, I teach dem a lesson." He knew his own tone hardened at that, but he'd never let anyone speak ill of his friends. And Ro was every bit his friend as much as Lapin was, perhaps even more so.
"No one will say anything, Remy. You don't need to teach anyone a lesson. They just all think you're my boyfriend."
"D'accord, Stormy." With that, he shifted a little, until both of them found the comfortable position that each could find sleep in, and he drifted off into sleep. Leaving the slight question in her statement unaswered. He didn't even want to think about it.
Was that the attic door?
Yes. He's up with 'Ro.
How can you tell?
Static. I can still sense Storm, but it's obscured a bit.
Oh.
I don't think it's like we thought though, Scott. The little skim of Ororo's projected thoughts.. She's not thinking about sex, or lust. She's already fading to sleep.
So they're not sleeping together?
No, they are sleeping together. They're not having sex though.
"What's that mean?" Scott sounded confused. Very very confused.
Jean herself didn't know. She just shrugged, and gave his leg a little kick. "I have no idea. They have some kind of relationship, but I don't think we're going to understand it if those two don't even undertand it themselves. And quit hogging the blankets, Scott Summers, or I will do more then kick you."
"How much more?"
".. rascal."
"Well if they're not having sex, it's our solemn duty to make sure someone gets some tonight."
"Touche, Mr Summers. I agree."
"So.. dis danger room. I can blow t'ings up, an it not cause any problems, dat what ya saying?"
"That is precisely what I am saying, Gambit. You can work some of your frustrations out in there, and it will allow us to gauge your powers and proficiency levels."
"Oh, de machine, it gauge my proficiency? Ya sure ya don't wanna gauge dat on ya own, Stormy?" Gambit grinned, and licked his lips at her, before shrugging. "A'right. I go blow t'ings up. Show me what dis buncha bolts got. If it too easy, ya know I'm just gonna be hell t'live wit' all day."
"Don't call me Stormy, and get in there." Storm gave his back a light shove, as he stepped through the doors into the Danger Room, that sealed behind him.
Dis place look boring. Just a buncha metal walls. Dis supposed to be de Danger Room? Sounds kinda disappointing.
"He's going to wear that trench coat in a danger room session? It could get caught on all sorts of things." Scott was mutering at the control panel.
"It won't be." Storm's voice came from the door way, as she took one of the observation seats. It was a full house today, she could tell. Scott, Jean, Charles, Bobby and Jubilee. "Gambit has a remarkable spatial awareness, and I've never seen him stumble, or come close to getting that duster caught on anything."
"If you say so." Scott still sounded dubious, as he shifted the settings of the danger room, walls being replaced by a junk yard. "Start with one of the trainee runs, Professor?"
"That would be good, Scott." Was his answer, but Storm just grinned and shook her head. If Remy lived up to her expectations, he'd waltz through the program with boredom.
"Okay Gambit. In this scenario there will be a group of anti-mutant protesters chasing a young mutant woman. Your job is to save her, without killing anyone, or letting anyone be killed."
Over the intercom, they heard Gambit chuckling.
A few minutes later, the control booth was filled with speculation.
"Like, oh my god. Did you see that? He took down all five of those schmucks with just his bo-staff. That was awesome, I don't think I've ever seen anyone handle those five that fast." Jubilee gushed.
"There's still ten more, Jubilee." Bobby said sounding sour. Likely jealous over the fact he couldn't take people down like that without using his powers, and even then it was questionable if he could do it that fast or smoothly.
"You mean there were ten more. Look." Jean sounded surprised, but most of them were. Storm included. Gambit summer saulted and half ran up a pile of cars, and at the top he simply jumped through the air. His staff wasn't in hand this time, but instead cards.
"What's he gonna do with those? Paper cut people to death? Now that'd be showing off."
"Oh shut it Jubes, we all know you have a crush on him."
"Bite me, icecube. You're just jealous he's rocking the DR so hard."
"OH WOW." Jubilee squeeled, when those cards glowed, and flew with accuracy, exploding at impact, sending men flying.
"So that's what that glow was.." Scott mumbled.
Ororo just watched with a smile on her lips. She'd been right about him.
As the danger room faded back to normal, Gambit looked up at the booth almost annoyed.
"Dat was it? Dat wasn't even a work out. Ya gonna give me somet'in dat's a real challenge, Cyke, or should I go beat up kiddies an steal dere candy?"
The reactions in the control booth were mixed. Storm laughed, and so did Jean and Jubilee. Bobby frowned, Charles face was flexing between a frown and a grin, and Scott. Well, Scott was gritting his teeth.
"Professor?" "Take him up to X-man levels, Scott. I want to see how well he performs."
"Alright Gambit. This time..."
When he emerged from the locker room , hair still damp from the shower, he found Storm waiting for him, leaning against the wall. She was smirking that triumphant little look she had sometimes, and held her arm out to him, which he took as they began to walk.
"You impressed them all. Scott was throwing everything he could at you, even some of the scenarios he has problems with by himself. That last one was meant for two people, and you still handled it with an almost perfect score. You do better in there then I do.."
She trailed off, while Remy just smiled at her and gave her hand a squeeze. "Only cuz I'm more a physical fighter den you, Stormy. Sides, being good in a fight ain't anyt'ing huge. All dat stuff was played to my talents, even if de boyscout didn't know it. Ain't got de awe inspirin wide ranging powers like you do."
He wasn't flatering her, they both knew it. He didn't, not about these things. Storm just nodded, and pinched his arm.
"The Professor was amazed. The only person who's done as well in the danger room is Logan, but you topped his scores. He doesn't pay as fine of detail to the parameters of the objectives as you do, he just tries to destroy everything."
"Who Logan be?"
"Another mutant. Professor offered him a teaching job, but he went off to try and find out more about himself. He has memory problems, and he's trying to find out how to regain them. No, not amnesia. Things were done to Logan."
"Oh. Well, dat sucks."
"It does. So what do you think of the school?" While they walked, Remy noticed she'd led him in a direction he hadn't been before. When he arched a brow at her, she murmured a sole word. 'Gardens'.
Once they passed the water sealed doors into her gardens, Remy was surprised at the greenery, the flowers. He knew his Stormy had a green thumb, but not this big of one. It was a pleasant place, and it smelled of the earth and natural things. Just like Storm always did. A smile spread across his lips as he inhaled, and let her lead him through the rows of plants.
"Being overwhelmed by my garden won't get you out of answering the question, Remy." Her tone containing a bit of warning, if he didn't answer. For his part, he just laughed and gave her hand a squeeze.
"Wasn't avoiding de question, chere. Was really just overwhelmed by de garden. It beautiful. As for de school.. It nice. Kinda peaceful, but bet it ain't so much when de students are here. Nice place, good place for kids ta grow up. Dunno. Scott ain't so bad, considering how far up his ass dat stick be wedged. Jean seem nice enough, and her cooking improved de last few days I bet. She got a funny sense of humor, and don't get too offended when I get crude, always a good t'ing."
A shrug of his shoulders.
"Dunno bout de Professor. He seem nice enough like, but we ain't talked much. Iceboy seem t'be about as immature as I expect from a teenager, an Jubilee.. ain't too bad, when she remembers to stop drooling at me. Been tempted t'give her a lil empathic nudge so she quit dat shit."
He was surprised at Storm's laughter at his predicament, as she patted his back. "Poor Remy. The desire of teenage lust."
"Ain't funny. You try being an empath an have dat much raw lust pointed at ya. Teenagers scary like dat, Stormy. As if I go for jail bait." He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"I could talk with her..."
"If ya want too, Stormy. Dunno if it do much good. Make t'ings easier on my mental shields though."
"So you like it here?"
"Yeah. I t'ink I do. Not entirely sure, but.. yeah. It kind of a nice place." His lack of certainty was apparently audible, because Ororo stopped them, and looked him in the eyes.
"Are you going to stay?"
"Few more days, chere. Den I go." His finger pressed her lips to silence her. "Need to get away for a bit. I need ta have some space t'decide, Ororo. Never been able to let go of Hearth and Home from anywhere but at the location. You ask me to stay here, I gotta be able to let go of New Orleans. A couple weeks away, so that when I come back, I know I made de right decision. Otherwise I be like a caged bird here, an always wondering if I shouldn't be somewhere else."
Ororo was quiet, her lips compressed.
"Ya understand, chere?"
"As much as I ever understand you, Remy LeBeau. But if you need to leave and come back, then you need to leave and come back. You will however call me every other night, or once a week at the very least while you are gone. Do you understand me?"
"D'accord, Stormy. I understand ya, crystal clear like. Now den, I saw dere a swimming pool out back.."
"So the cajun is gone?" Bobby asked, as he dropped down next to Jubilee and picked up one of the game remotes.
"Yup. Left an hour ago, was a big good bye deal."
"You don't sound very happy about it."
"I'm not. He was cool. Mysterious, dangerous, extremely hot, and he didn't have the major 'tude that Logan has. It'd have been pretty interesting to have him around."
"You don't sound like you'll think he'll come back."
"Would you, Bobby? That guy.. he could probably do whatever he wants, have anyone he wants. He's loaded too, you see the car and bike he bought? Storm said he paid for them flat out. If you had all that stuff going for you, would you come back to a private school of teenage mutants?"
"Uhh. I dunno. I guess probably not. I have no idea what I would do."
"Me neither. It'd be something cool though. One thing I picked up from him before he left. He gave me these glasses, you know? He said that whatever you do, do it with style."
"Why'd he give you the shades?"
Jubilee smirked. "Cuz they match my jacket, Bobby. Cuz they match my jacket."
Ororo frowned at the pile of clothes. She'd need to add another closet to her attic. Right now she didn't have anywhere else to put them – not without mingling them with all of her own clothes. She supposed she could move some of the clothes about in the dresser, but she liked how everything was laid out now. Yes, she would just get another dresser, and have her closet extended.
She knew that others were probably wondering if Remy would return. Ororo never doubted he'd come back. He had no where else to go. He couldn't stay with his family, they had duties. He wasn't happy with the life as a wanderer. He knew he wasn't accomplishing what he could with that path.
He would come back.
Ororo?
Yes Professor?
I just wanted to see how you were handling Gambit's departure.
I'm fine Charles. He'll be back when he's ready to be here. He just has to realize it.
I share your faith in our young companion. Do you think he could teach?
Teach? Yes. He could. The question is more if you would let him. He's a scoundrel, Charles.
I noticed. I thought perhaps he would be able to handle home ec, he seemed to like cooking, or perhaps French or taking some of the burden of mechanics off Scott.
He speaks more then French, Charles. A lot more. Which he'd like to do though, we'll have to figure out when he comes back.
Of course. Of course. And Ororo?
Yes Charles?
We have to pick the children up from the air port tomorrow, so don't be up too late.
Gambit had been one of the oddest men he'd ever met. He wasn't sure that he liked him, but he found he could respect him. He did things his own way, and damned to other people if they couldn't come to terms with it. He at least wasn't as insulting as Logan had been, and he wasn't lusting after his girlfriend. Oh, he made crude comments to Jean, and Jean to him, but Scott hadn't ever felt a pang of jealousy.
He'd figured out soon enough it was just the cajuns way, and there was no danger of it becoming a serious fliration with Jean. The fact he spent every night in Ororo's attic, even if Jean said they never did anything, made it less a concern. Although he didn't like the way Jubilee practically drooled at the cajun, or constantly made inappropriate comments. Yet he'd been surprised at the way the Thief had skillfully deflected them, or never shown any sign of actually considering taking advantage.
A very good sign, if the man came back to the school. Having an adult they couldn't trust with students would be very problematic.
Do you think he'll come back, Jean?
I'm pretty sure he will, Scott. He didn't look like he enjoyed leaving Storm, and he did leave most of his belongings here at the School, and his car. That was a nice bike he bought wasn't it?
Why bother leaving, if he's just leaving his things here?
Well, he did tell Storm that the car was hers, and she's already moving all of his things into her attic.
So either he is coming back, or he just wanted to leave Ororo mementoes?
Who knows with Gambit? The Professor and I never caught so much as a stray thought from him, but Storm seems awfully sure he'll come back.
That's because she .. whatever. You saw that kiss when he left.
It was a chaste kiss, Scott. Just a brush of lips, and it was after he kissed each of her cheeks.
Still, Storm seemed to think it was something. She kept touching his lips after he left.
She loves him, Scott. She admitted that the first day. She just doesn't know if she loves him as a brother, or as a lover.
Oh. You didn't tell me that.
It was there to be seen, Scott. You men are so blind.
That doesn't mean he'll come back.
He might not. Gambit's a free spirit who won't be chained. He might be testing if Storm will come after him.
I think he already knows the answer to that one, Jean. I don't think he'd press her to make her do it, or make her beg.
Are you sure about that? What man doesn't like to get a little bit of begging from a woman now and again? Blind to your own genders failings..
"I'm not that blind.."
"No, but you can be dense. Red neglige or black?"
"Red. Definitely the red." If Scott had learned anything, it was this: When Jean went for the neglige instead of just her night shirt, it meant it was going to be a very interesting night.
"Maybe you're not so dense after all.. I knew there was a reason I loved you."