Darkness Gathers

Part One of the Darkness Trilogy

Chapter 12

Renegade was surprised at herself, surprised by the anger she felt for another. Empathy was an emotion that had lied dormant within her for so long she had almost forgotten she was capable of it, but here she was seething. For as angry as she felt at the professor she felt even angrier at herself for letting her feelings for Logan get so out of control. She decided that the gym was no longer an adequate workout she ran up to her room to grab her X-men uniform and her Katana then headed for a session in the danger room. Renegade entered the control room and found Scott sitting there.

"Renegade what are you doing here?"

"Hoping for a workout, if this is a bad time…"

"Actually its perfect timing, Rogue just finished her session."

"Good I really need this, listen about earlier…"

"Don't worry about it. Did the professor help you?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I didn't want him to."

"Look I don't want to tell you how to live your life, but would it be so bad to let people in, to let people help you?"

"As a matter of fact it would."

"You must be so lonely."

"Lonely, but free. Look I came here for a workout not a psych evaluation."

"Fine suit yourself. I have a new program, would you like to test it?"

"Sure, why not?" Renegade answered as she sauntered into the danger room.

She drew her sword and took a defensive stance as she waited for the room to change. In an instance New York City appeared before her. She quickly surveyed the environment as a Zombie came charging at her. Renegade stood calmly waiting and when the corpse got close enough she made on clean precise strike separating its head from its body. Several more zombies rushed her meeting the same fate, more and more corpses came charging at Renegade overwhelming her while she participated in a killing frenzy, blood spurted and heads rolled as she slashed her way through endless zombies. The bodies piled at her feet as sweat poured down her brow, as corpse after corpse became lifeless once more. Her motion became restricted as she ran out of room to step, consumed by what she could see she never noticed the zombie still alive at her feet. She felt a bite sink hard into her calf, the damage quickly healed as the room faded to black.

"What did you think?" Scott's voice boomed over the loud speaker.

"That was awesome, very impressive programming," Renegade answered.

"A few of our more tech savvy students worked it up."

"Tell them they have my thanks that was very enjoyable."

"I'm sure you have theirs as well; they were not permitted to use the program until I had the chance to test it and make sure it wasn't dangerous."

"They did a good job with it, very clever that infection ends the simulation. If they ever cook up anything else and you need a guinea pig I'd be happy to test it out."

"Good to know, I'd offer you another program, but Storm has the room booked and should be here any minute, though I doubt she'd object if you wanted to join her."

"Thank you but I will pass, it has been a long day, I think I'm just going to grab a shower and go to bed."

"Alright then; goodnight, Renegade."

"Goodnight, Scott."

After a long shower Renegade crawled into bed and quickly drifted off to sleep. Her sleep was anything but peaceful, Logan's memories invaded her subconscious, she dreamt of wars, of death, being the subject of painful experiments. This set a precedent for many nights to follow, for weeks her dreams would be plagued by painful memories that didn't belong to her. Over these weeks Renegade tried to visit Kat several times, but was never well received, Kat's empathy had gotten stronger and her control was not yet able to keep up. The turmoil in Renegades mind was more than she could bare. It took several weeks and many sleepless nights, but Renegade slowly began to regain control of her mind. The nightmares started to become less frequent.

With Remy, Logan, Beast, and Kat all occupied Renegade spent most of her time alone. This was good she told herself, this gave her a chance to try to rebuild the emotional walls that were crumbling all around her. However it seemed to be a task easier said than done, for the first time in a long time Renegade realised that she was lonely. She couldn't stop herself from wondering if her life was nothing if she didn't have anyone to share it with. She tried to convince herself it was better this way, in spite of all the time apart her feelings for Logan only seemed to grow, in her heart she knew that no matter how much she tried to deny her feelings, despite all her best efforts she had fallen in love with him. These feelings she had could never come to light, the Agency had strict rules involving personal involvement. Those rules prohibited her from having any strong personal feelings, they say that love and friendship make you weak, they give your enemies leverage over you and so they were something the Agency would not abide. Renegade always suspected it was more likely the Agency couldn't allow for the potential that any of their agents would have more loyalty to someone in their lives then they have for the Agency. The reasons did not matter, the rules were clear, if she had developed any new abilities she was supposed to report them to the Agency; that was the first rule she broke. Now she was developing feelings of friendship, and love, that was two rules she had now broken.

Sooner or later the Agency would find out, then they would come to take Renegade away, the freedom she loved was in jeopardy. She would not give it up and she had no intention of going back. So that left her with one option she had to fight, a war was coming, and she cared about these people, she didn't want to bring that war to their doorstep. When the Agency inevitably found out she knew that then would be the time to leave the X-men, maybe she could come back one day if she ever won her personal war, but until that day came it was only a matter of time until she became a danger to everyone around her. She promised herself that never again would the innocent to be slaughtered because of her actions, this left her with one thought 'how do I keep them from following me?'

Renegade needed a distraction to keep herself from thinking about a past she never lived and a future she couldn't prevent. So decided that maybe it was time to start meddling again. She was certain that after she finished recovering from her ordeal Kat could surely use a little time away, and her and Gumbo could use some time alone to see where there budding relationship would lead. So Renegade began to plot a little lovers getaway, not knowing enough about Kat to be able to figure out her ideal destination, Renegade figured that Remy was a much easier read, after all how could the card playing Cajun possibly not enjoy a trip to the city of lost wages, and Kat at least would enjoy the desert climate, since from what she'd heard Kat had barely stopped shivering since she woke up.

Renegade phoned the Bellagio in Las Vegas and reserved a room for Kat and Remy; a two bedroom suite, three weeks away so that Kat would have time to finish her recovery. She gave reception her credit card number instructing that they were to use that to pay the bill and hung up the phone.

"What was that all about?" Logan asked from the doorway

"I think I need to put a bell on you, how long were you standing there?"

"Long enough; you going somewhere?"

"Not exactly, I just thought well… Kat never got to finish her personal leave, and she could use some time away, so I was booking her a little vacation."

"Is that so?"

"Yes it is, after everything she has been through she deserves a break, and don't worry I wouldn't dream of sending her alone."

"That's right you wouldn't; if she is going then I'm coming too."

"Is that really necessary?"

"If you think that I'm letting her out of my sight for even a second you're out of your mind darlin'."

Renegade's heart skipped a beat when he called her darling but she did her best not let it show, "Fine then; I'm coming too. Someone has to make sure you behave yourself."

"Why is that?"

"Because I'm sending Gumbo too."

"You're what?"

"You heard me."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because they care about each other, they need a chance to pursue those feelings without all these distractions."

"I still don't like it, why are you pushing this so hard?"

"I don't know. I get bored, besides I needed something to keep my mind off… your memories."

"How are you doing with that?"

"Getting better all the time, the nightmares aren't as bad now. It was very difficult at first but as time goes on I am learning to deal with it."

"I'm so sorry if I had known what would happen I never would have let you tinker around up there."

"Don't be sorry Logan you couldn't have known, and I was the one who was insistent, so it turns out the only way to fix your memories was to take them from you. It's not all bad I know you better now."

"It's funny I still have all these questions about my past, and there you sit with a head full of answers. Is there any chance you will be less evasive about my past then you are about your own?"

"Logan I… there is so much pain in your past, I think it's a gift that you don't remember I'm not sure I want to take that away from you."

"They are my memories I have a right to know."

"Your right, but your memories are still very near the surface and I am not ready to relive them all, I feel your memories as though they were my own, so not too much right now, what do you want to know most?"

"Who is Rose? Jean told me you called her that when she found you out in the woods."

"She is someone you loved once… a very long time ago. She looked a lot like Jean."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Not really although I have a feeling you're going to insist, so she is someone you grew up with, someone you loved first as a friend then as more. But you never made your feelings known the situation was complicated and so she gave her heart to another. Then you made every sacrifice to ensure she would be happy even if it was without you. If she had only taken your kindness and walked away her story would have had a much happier ending."

"What happened to her?"

Renegades eyes welled up with tears she wished she could forget what she knew, she wished he never had to know and most of all wished she hadn't promised never to lie to him. Not that lying to this bloodhound would ever do much good, he even saw through her half-truths, that was something no one had ever done to her before but this place it had a way of keeping you honest; psychics, empaths, and bloodhounds. All this honesty spelled trouble for Renegade.

"She died," Renegade answered unable to hold her tears back any longer. "She died to save the life of a scoundrel who was not worth her compassion."

"She saved a guy's life and he killed her for it?"

"Not exactly."

"Then what exactly?"

Renegade just shook her head no as tears streamed down her face.

"Whatever it is you can tell me, I can take it."

Renegade stared blankly back at him wishing that somehow she could just make him take no for an answer, but that wasn't Logan, "Fine just remember I warned you. Someone from your childhood tracked you and Rose down, a man who went by the name of Dog. You two had a history; he was a malicious child who turned into a cruel man. A cruel man who wanted you dead, despite his best efforts you came out ahead, and when you were about to strike a blow that would end his miserable existence Rose appeared from out of nowhere and threw herself in front of him shielding him from your wrath. She came up to quickly it was too late to stop and your claws sunk deep inside her chest. She bled to death in your arms on what was meant to be the eve of her wedding."

As Renegade finished the sad tale she was amazed at the fact that as bad as she had felt with this memory inside her somehow saying it out loud amplified her sadness even more and still managed to be furious at herself for crying as she tried to wipe away the tears that wouldn't stop rolling down her cheek.

"So you do have feelings after all," Logan said looking bewildered, though she wasn't sure if it was from the small chunk of his past she'd revealed, or because of this unfortunate display of emotions she couldn't seem to stop.

"They're your feelings," Renegade answered bitterly as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Come here," he asked softly with open arms. Renegade backed up a few steps

"No! Don't hug me you'll only make it worse."

Logan ignored her request, stepping closer to her, her wrapped his arms around her hugging her gently but firmly. Renegade tried to push him away but was no match for his strength, admitting defeat she reluctantly leaned in and wrapped her arms around him. For an instant she felt safe, she lost all control, and she sobbed into his shoulder.

"I told you not to hug me."

Logan ignored her protest, and kept her in his arms. "You're really having a hard time with this aren't you? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well I did have over 100 years of pain and loss and sorrow downloaded into my brain in like 5 seconds and I've had about two weeks to figure out how to deal with all that. So yeah I'm having a hard time with it, I just haven't had enough time to get it under control. And I didn't bother to tell you because you have more important things to worry about."

"No one here is more important than anyone else. I know I have been preoccupied with Kat, but you still should have told me, I'm here for you… whether you see that or not."

"Why do you even care?"

"Why shouldn't I?"

"You never wanted me here to begin with, you disagree with pretty much everything I do, and I constantly push your buttons. Yet here you are comforting me. I don't get it, why should you care about me?"

"It's true I was opposed to you joining; you struck me as someone who would make a better mercenary then a team player. I still don't know much about you, still don't even know your name, but here is what I do know because of you Xavier can walk, Kat is alive, and I've been sleeping like a baby. You try to act like you don't care about anyone but yourself, but that's not who you are its just who you want us to think you are. If you really didn't care you wouldn't have fixed up Kat and Gumbo, you'd have been perfectly content to leave it alone and let 'em figure it out for themselves. And if you were really didn't care I don't think you'd have given a damn about my nightmares. Somewhere behind who is you pretend to be is the person you really are, and I think she cares about people, not just there well being but there happiness too. I don't know what reasons you have for trying to guard her so well but I got news for ya darlin' she is tryin' to escape."

Renegade stood there quietly in his arms, he had a way of smelling a lie or something so no matter what she said next her answer would betray her. She had tried so hard to keep them from seeing that side of her; she had spent years convincing herself that side didn't exist, that it was dead to her. After a few short months at Charles Xavier's School for the Gifted her sad excuse for a life stood on the brink of destruction. It wasn't much of a life that much she'd always known but it beat the hell out of life in a cage. The walls began to close in around her, her heart began to sink and the feeling of impending doom came crashing on her like a tidal wave.

The scent of fear filled Logan's nostrils, the fear was as strong as any he'd ever smelt, just as strong as he had smelled in men who knew there number was up, maybe stronger still. She didn't fear death and she didn't fear pain this much Logan knew, he silently wondered what in his worlds had invoked a fear so strong in a woman who never batted an eye in situations that made most folks cower. But here she was a few almost kind words and terrible secret in his memories that made her afraid of him. Logan wasn't sure what all he had done in his past but he was sure most of it wasn't very nice. If that was the case though it shouldn't have taken so long for the fear to creep into her heart.

"I don't know what you're so afraid of, but whatever it is, you don't have to face it alone."

"Who said I'm afraid of something?" Renegade answered defiantly

"The nose knows."

"Blasted bloodhound, look it's nice that you care warms the freakin' heart really, but do me a favour and just don't."

"Why the hell not?"

"Someday soon I am going to be a lot more trouble then I'm worth, and when that day comes I want to fight my own battle. It's dangerous to get involved in my business, so do yourself a favour and stop caring."

"Darlin' danger is my middle name."

"You are such a pain in the ass," Renegade protested.

For the first time in 10 years Renegade had someone who cared about her, a place that felt like home, people that felt like family. Part of her wished that she could just tell Logan how she felt, but she was walking a thin line already. A confession of feelings of that magnitude somehow the agency would just know and then the battle would begin. She had little doubt that all she had to do was ask and the X-men would help her, but it wasn't fair to ask. This was her fight, and she had no intention of turning this school into a war zone. She made her mistakes and now the consequences would be hers and hers alone.

Renegade pulled back from Logan's embrace as she did her eyes met his, he had such beautiful eyes. They were ice blue at first glance they were hard, they eyes of a man you did not want to be on the bad side of, but if you looked a little closer they got softer as though somehow a heart of gold shone through them, her fear finally faded away. There was something in those eyes that made her feel like just maybe everything would be alright. Renegade turned away careful not to linger too long in his eyes, not wanting to be any more of an open book to him that she apparently already was.

"You gonna be ok?" he asked pulling back a little his hands sliding up to her shoulders he squeezed a little as he asked.

Renegade forced a smile, "Yeah I'm fine."

"If you ever do want to talk or need anything I'll be around."

"Thanks, Logan."

"I should probably go check on Kat."

"Say hi for me, I would but you know."

"You don't need anything else thrown at you."

"Yeah."

"You know it's nothing personal right?"

"I could say the same to you; ya know it's your mind that's making her go spastic."

Logan chuckled a little to himself and made his way to the lab, while Renegade crawled into bed, she was out like a light as soon as her head hit the pillow. She had the best sleep she had in weeks and she awoke feeling refreshed the next day. After her usual morning routine she made her way to Xavier's office and rapped on the door.

"Come in," Renegade entered the room. "Ah Renegade, it's good to see you."

"Thank you, I wish I could say the same, but I'm still having some mixed feelings."

"That's understandable, especially considering your feelings for Logan."

"Stay out of my head, Chuck."

"Believe it or not I have honoured your wishes."

"Oh… in that case I have no idea what you're talking about."

The professor chuckled, "You know one does not have to be psychic to see the way feel about him."

"That obvious, huh?"

"I'm afraid so."

"I must be losing my touch. So… If I did let you in my head could you block those feelings out?"

"I could but I won't, Renegade you mustn't run from these feelings you should embrace them."

"I can't Chuck, I just can't."

"If you're concerned that he won't reciprocate, you should know I think he's grown quite fond of you."

"That's even worse."

"What are you so afraid of?"

"If I tell you that, then I will have even more to fear."

"We can help you Renegade, we can protect you."

"Then who will protect you."

"We protect each other."

"You have enough to worry about, this is my problem and it will be my fight."

"You're going to have to let us in one day."

"Perhaps… but today is not that day."

"Very well, I won't push you. What is it you came to see me about?"

"Some vacation days for Kat, Remy, Logan, and me."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Kat has not yet fully recovered."

"I am aware of that, I doubt she can even handle my presence just yet, but I was thinking another 3 weeks should give her enough time. I just figured you would prefer a little notice."

"That should be fine, though if I may ask what brought this on?"

"Well Kat has been through a lot lately, and we obviously can't send her alone so I thought that the Cajun would make an excellent bodyguard. My intent was for the pair to have a little private time to see where things were going for them. Logan with his wonderful sense of timing busted me whilst I was plotting this lover's getaway. He refuses to let Kat out of his sight, and as for me someone has to keep an eye on Logan. His heart is in the right place, but he does have an unusually thick skull. So I nominated myself to go and make sure he doesn't undo all my meddling."

"I think it's a wonderful idea, Kat has been through a lot, and I'm sure the last few weeks have been no picnic for you either."

"I'd be lying if I said they were, but I am getting it under control."

"When you come back, I was wondering if you would be willing to teach a class, of course you will have until the fall semester to prepare."

"You want me to teach a class? What class?"

"I have seen glimpses into Logan's mind, I know only a portion of what you have been dealing with and I'm amazed how little you have let it show. I think our students could really benefit learning your emotional camouflage. You portray yourself as you wish to be seen not as you really are, that's a very useful skill."

"Not that it does me any good here. So you want me to teach kids how to lie?"

"Essentially yes, if it helps them blend into a world that fears and misunderstands them, then it is a skill I think our students could really benefit from."

"Alright I understand your reasoning and I'm no one to take the moral high ground, so if you're sure about this, then I will teach the class."

"Thank you Renegade, I wish it weren't necessary, I wish that the world would just accept them but we live in trying times, and I want them to have every tool for survival I can give them."

"You're welcome, thanks for the chat and time off. Oh… one more thing what do I call the class? Lying 101? Body Language do's and don'ts?"

"How about Urban Camouflage?"

"Works for me, see ya later, Chuck."

It was another few days before Kat was feeling up to dealing with anyone other than Logan, Gambit, Beast and Xavier. Even then she found it difficult to deal with her own guilt over attacking Gambit. Once her powers had levelled out again, she finally decided to head out of Beast's lab and once again take on the mansion and its inhabitants. The only way she was going to be able to find the level of control she needed to deal with close proximity to others was to get out and throw herself into it again. Her empathy however was the least of her worries as her feral abilities were always far harder for her to find the control on; however even after she'd managed to find some semblance of control over it Kat was still miserable; she just couldn't seem shake the deeper effects of being captured by Chimera again. Still she did manage to hide it for the most part. The professor knew of course but he was willing to let her try to deal with it herself for the time being as long as her mental state didn't get any worse. Logan was worried about her but had enough of his own problems with Renegade. Gambit was pretty sure she wasn't as okay as she claimed to be but after her blow up when she first woke up back at the mansion he was treading a little more carefully and though he wouldn't admit it the whole incident had bothered him more than he was willing to admit even to himself.

Not only was she dealing with the emotional and mental trauma of Chimera but she couldn't seem to get warm. There was no medical or biological reason why she felt cold all the time; even Beast hadn't been able to find anything to explain it but she was constantly chilly. Sighing she burrowed deeper into the blankets and pulled her legs tighter against her body as she laid curled up on the leather couch in one of the rec rooms on the second floor of the mansion. The students seldom bothered with this room which meant she could get something resembling peace and quiet for a while. Just as she thought that the door behind her banged open and she groaned to herself.

"Go get packed and make sure you take some of those clothes that I bought you way back when I first got here," Renegade's voice reached Kat's ears at the same time her scent hit her nose and Kat lifted her head to look over the back of the couch at her friend; it had been a while since Renegade had found her own control which coupled with Kat's control over her new empathic powers meant the two could finally be in the same room without Kat having a complete freak out.

"I am not wearing anything other than thermal clothing for the rest of my life and why the hell am I packing?"

"Because we're going on vacation somewhere warm and getting you out of this funk that you've been in since we got back before both Logan and Gumbo have meltdowns. So I suggest you go and pack for yourself before I decide to meddle again and go and pack for you."

Kat sighed and before she could even open her mouth to say anything Renegade was gone again. Rolling her eyes, Kat kicked the blankets off and shivered briefly before padding down the hall to her room to do as instructed. She didn't even want to think about what Renegade would pack for her if she didn't do it herself. She'd barely made it into her room before she heard Gambit behind her and she glanced over her shoulder even as he caught her around the waist and pulled her back against him resting his chin on her shoulder as he met her gaze.

"Renegade get a hold of you about packing, Cher?"

Kat nodded, "Yeah, that's what I'm doing now but if she thinks I'm not taking my nice warm fuzzy pants and turtlenecks, she's crazy."

"Heaven forbid you not wear fuzzy pants, though Gambit has to say…dey look good on you," he grinned before kissing her cheek lightly and releasing his hold on her though she stayed leaning back against him, dropping her head back against his chest.

"Do you know where she's taking us?"

"No clue but she promised dat Gambit would find some fun dere."

"You'd find fun in the arctic," Kat muttered before finally moving away from him and starting to pack as Gambit laid across her bed and watched her from the corner of his eye while he stared at the ceiling.

Ever since they'd drug her nearly frozen body back to the mansion the Cajun had seldom been more than ten feet from the feral. Nearly losing her had made him rethink a lot of things but he didn't know exactly what to do with his new outlook. He honestly didn't know what he'd do if he lost her in any way, but he wasn't exactly Mister Relationship either. He was used to being the thief of hearts, not having someone steal his own. He sighed as she packed and she glanced up at him from where she was closing her suitcase on the floor.

"Remy, you alright?" she questioned even as another shiver ran up her spine, there were still times that she couldn't help but wonder if he was holding anything against her about her attack on him; even with her increased empathy she couldn't read him like the others which was something she didn't understand.

"Yeah, Gambit jus' thinkin'."

"Uh oh, this can't be good," she teased lightly.

Gambit rolled his eyes at her and fell silent again, not ready to share his mind just yet. He didn't know what to say or how to say any of what he was thinking and feeling which meant he'd have to figure something else out later. He shook off his thoughts again when he realized that she'd moved and was sitting next to him with a worried look to her eyes, so he grinned and tugged her down beside him by wrapping an arm around her hips. Not that he really took her by surprise but it did the trick of getting that look off her face as she settled in against him, her head on his shoulder as she tried to use him to get warm.

The two of them remained like that for the next few minutes until there was a quick knock on the door before it was pushed open. Both raised their head at the same time and Renegade quirked a brow at the way they were laying.

"If I'm interrupting something…"

"We just won't be leaving the vicinity any time soon," Wolverine growled from behind her, pushing his way into the room.

Kat rolled her eyes at Logan and sat up slowly, "Then I guess you'd get a hell of a show, Logan."

Wolverine only growled at her, "Of all the guys…"

"Kat chose Gambit, da one person who can get under your skin without even tryin', Wolverine. Why do you have such a problem wit' dat?"

"Because, Gumbo, she could do a million times better than a Swamp Rat like you."

Kat groaned and shook her head, "Logan I can build my own opinion of someone thank you very much and Remy quit annoying him."

"You said it yourself, Darlin'. You don't know anything about who he was before he joined up with us."

"And I don't need to. None of us are the same people we were before the Professor found us and you damn well know it, Logan."

"He's a womanizer and once he gets what he wants he's going to…"

Kat snarled and in a blink of an eye was on her feet and had delivered a spinning kick to Wolverine's stomach with every ounce of her strength, staggering the other feral. "I'm sick of this speech, Logan. I appreciate the fact that you're trying to look out for me but lay off already!"

Renegade stifled a laugh and shook her head, "Well…this is going to be an interesting flight and trip anyway."

The actual flight down wasn't nearly as entertaining as Renegade had thought it would end up being after Kat's blow up at Wolverine but it turned out to be just greatly awkward and silent as she and Wolverine piloted the small four person plane while Gambit and Kat sat in silence behind them. Once they touched down, Renegade retrieved a vehicle that was available for her use and the ride through the desert and the main streets of the city was just as silent. A grin finally lit up Gambit's face as he realized where they had been taken and Wolverine growled under his breath. The early evening crowds were swarming the streets of the Las Vegas strip as Renegade maneuvered the midnight blue Ferrari to the valet parking of the Bellagio Hotel. Kat shook her head when she realized just how much Gambit was looking forward to getting into the casino. Still he stuck with the three of them as they checked in and headed up to their room deciding that Kat and Renegade would share one room while Logan and Gambit would share the other. Gambit carried his bag along with Kat's while Logan had both his and Renegade's.

"You guys have a nice time; Gambit gonna check out da poker tables for a bit," the Cajun grinned before disappearing back out of the room and heading to the casino.

Kat shook her head and chose to ignore the 'I told you so' look from Logan as she disappeared into her shared room. Renegade had been right about one thing…she was definitely feeling the dry desert heat though she still shivered occasionally. She had wanted some time before Gambit disappeared to the casino but at the same time she couldn't really blame him. The last time he'd had a game had been the night he'd taken her out; at least to her knowledge.

Downstairs on the casino floor, Gambit surveyed the various poker games being held. As much poker as he played he'd never actually played in Vegas. Then again there never had really been the opportunity to do so but he shrugged it off as he wandered through the casino, sizing up the tables before finally getting some chips and settling in at a table. These games were definitely different than he was used to as the seats were never empty for long before someone else joined the game meaning his competition was constantly changing. Still he made a tidy profit after a couple of hours and decided he'd call it a night. They had some time in the city after all and he'd really only wanted to gain enough to afford a nice gift and maybe a night on the town for his girl.

Before he made it back to the elevators that would take him back to their room, Gambit stumbled across the stores that were also part of the hotel and casino. He was passing a jewellery store when something in the window caught his eye and he grinned before heading inside, winnings already cashed in and buried in one of the many inside pockets of his trench coat. As he was paying he finally caught a glimpse of the time and inwardly cringed even as he poured on the charm for the female employee that was currently looking after him and his purchase. Kat was going to be annoyed which meant that Logan was going to be annoyed.

After a couple of hours had passed since Gambit had headed off to play poker, Kat was indeed getting rather annoyed with the Cajun. Logan however, wasn't too worried about her just yet since she'd just started pacing and seemed to get restless as she checked out the rest of their room. It was spacious and well decorated with a view of the Strip from the bank of windows. She shook her head as she made her way back to the grey couch and settled back. At least the constant cold feeling she'd been experiencing had finally started to ease off, even with the air conditioner running for the comfort of the other two occupants.

"Relax, Kid. You knew he was going to bolt at the first opportunity," Logan sighed as she dropped next to him on the couch.

"Yeah, yeah; I just thought he might, I don't know, at least wait five minutes," she grumbled in reply.

Logan only shook his head and fell silent, turning his attention back to the television though he kept a close eye on Kat's mood as the time wore on. It was another forty-five minutes before the door to the room opened and both ferals turned their attention to the Cajun that was returning. He flashed his usual charming grin at Kat, a mischievous gleam in his eye that had Logan growling and simultaneously rolling his eyes before he pushed to his feet and headed to the in-suite kitchen in search of something to drink deciding to let Kat handle this one herself…even if he was listening in on their conversation as she pushed to her feet and narrowed her eyes at Gambit, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You miss me, Mon chatton?"

Kat's eyes narrowed further at his question, "You couldn't even wait a couple of hours before ditching out of here, could you?"

"Well, I knew you still be here when I got back, Cher," he continued to grin.

In the kitchen, Logan was leaning against the wall listening to what was happening between Kat and Gambit. Renegade was also there though her attention was focused more on finding something to eat than the small argument happening in the other part of the room. Finally she turned and quirked a brow at Logan but before she said anything to him, she caught the sound of Kat's annoyed and slightly angry reply.

"Why is it that everyone just assumes that I'm going to be where they want me to be?" she snapped. "You know what? Maybe I do have someplace else I'd rather be right now!"

On that comment, the feral brushed past Gambit, shaking off his hand when he reached out to try to stop her. She had caught him a little off guard on her outburst and for a second as the door swung closed behind her, he stood in the room alone though it didn't take him long to recover. He spun on his heel and followed her out into the main hallway of the hotel. Logan started out of the kitchen at the outburst from his fellow feral but was stopped immediately by Renegade who swiftly stepped in front of him, blocking his exit from the kitchen.

"No, just let them work it out. You don't get a say in this one," she informed him.

"Get out of my way, Renegade."

"Not happening."

"You just can't not meddle can you?"

"What can I say, I get bored."

"So you've told me…" he growled.

"You don't really want to take away my only source of amusement do you?"

"So this is all just a big game to you is it? You're screwing with people's lives here, Renegade; and not just any people…my people," he snarled stepping closer to her with eyes narrowed and anger flickering in their depths.

"Tell you what, Champ, you give them a chance to work it out on their own without you snarling in their faces…well Gumbo's face…and if they don't you can beat him later and I won't interfere. However if they do, you owe me a night on the town where you actually enjoy yourself. I don't care what we do…but you have to have fun."

"No deal."

"That's the best offer you're going to get out of me."

By the time Gambit got out of the room again, Kat was already at the end of the hall and waiting on the elevator. By her posture he could tell that she was vastly annoyed and more than a little angry. Not that he could entirely blame her, everyone did always just expect her to be where they thought she should be. He sighed as he reached the elevator just before the doors closed and he slipped onto it with her, choosing to not respond to the glare she delivered. The elevator had just started moving when he reached past her and hit the emergency stop.

"What the hell are you doing, Cajun?!"

"Giving us some time ta talk without being listened to," he knew damn well that Logan had been listening to them back in the room but here they had some time for a serious conversation, the grin sliding from his face as he turned to face her.

"Talk about what?" she grit out, taking a step back and away from him.

"Da fact dat you always try runnin' from Gambit rather than talk."

"We're talking now aren't we?"

"Dat's only 'cause you don' have anywhere ta run."

"Only until the hotel realizes this elevator is stopped between floors. Besides what would you prefer me to do? Fight?"

"How bout talk?"

"What do you want me to say?! That I'm terrified and tired of being the one everyone knows is just going to be where they left me?" she finally snapped.

"Nothing wrong with being dependable, Cher but what are you so afraid of wit' Gambit?"

Kat only shook her head at him and retreated another step trying to find some distance but the Cajun only matched her step for step, the uncertainty starting to overcome the anger in her voice, "That this…us…is a bigger risk than I can fathom or handle."

"You not da only one thinkin' bout that, Cher. Da difference is, I'm willin' ta take the risk for you…you willin' ta do da same for me?"

As he spoke she backed into the wall of the elevator but Gambit made no effort as of yet to shorten the distance between them, simply maintaining what they had started at as she finally met his gaze reading the sincerity in his eyes and without even thinking nodded, "Yeah…you're worth the risk."

Her sudden realization that she meant that with every fibre of her being and the truth shining in her eyes brought Gambit's grin suddenly back to his face, "In dat case, you can have dis."

With those words, he pulled a small jewellery box from his coat and held it out to her. She quirked a brow at him quizzically as she took the proffered box and opened it. Inside was a diamond horseshoe pendant necklace. She was momentarily stunned having not expected anything like that and she shook her head as a smile slowly formed on her lips and she closed this distance between them so suddenly Gambit hadn't even realized she was moving before her arms were around his neck and she was hugging him. Grinning, the Cajun wrapped his arms around her in return before he pulled away and took the box back from her and pulled the necklace from it.

"Let's see how dis looks…" he grinned.

Kat turned her back to him, pulling her hair out of the way as he draped the necklace around her neck and fastened the clasp. As he did so, he leaned his head down to brush his lips across the back of her neck, grinning a little broader at the feel of her shiver and the sudden tension in her body at the contact. He left it at that however as he stood upright again and turned her back to face him and he couldn't help but chuckle at the deep blush in her cheeks and the awkward way she shifted her weight from foot to foot as she tried to avoid his eyes but a gentle grasp of her chin and he easily tilted her head up until her eyes met his.

Just before he realized she was moving closer and closing the small distance left between them, he caught a hint of a stronger feral look to her gaze. He grinned and dropped his head to hers; the second his lips met hers, he pushed her back against the wall effectively pinning her there. Neither noticed when the elevator jerked back into commission and it wasn't until the doors opened on the next floor and there was the sound of someone clearing their throat behind them that the two broke apart again. In the open doors a hotel security officer was shaking his head at them.

"Was there an issue with the elevator?"

"Not really, Mon Ami; dey jus' too fast to do anything worthwhile," Gambit grinned even as Kat elbowed him in the ribs.

"Sorry, won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't," the security officer smiled before leaving them to return to their floor.