My notes: Well, this chapter and the following one are still more fluff than any real "action", but I promise, it'll come soon...
And, I really hope I get som reviews this time, because I want to know what you think! Please review!

Chapter 3

Demons

"That's too much. It said semi-formal. This ain't anything like formal." Protested Rogue as Kitty pushed her into wearing black leather trousers and a dark green strapless top which exposed her bare shoulders.

"No, it's totally awesome!" Kitty was standing next to her friend and looked at them in the mirror. "Here you go, these should do it." Kitty turned to her drawer and handed Rogue elbow long gloves. They were the same green tone as her top.

"Why do ya have gloves anyway?" Rogue asked, curiosity apparent, as she let Kitty finish her make-up.

"And you are ready to go."

Rogue was still staring at her image in the mirror.

The next minute she found herself going to her flat to get her black suede jacket. Not sure whether she should change into something more appropriate she looked into her own drawer. The only think that she thought was good enough was her black long skirt. She closed her door, even though she didn't see the Cajun in the flat, with him, she could never truly believe her senses. With a deep sigh Rogue changes into the skirt. Yes, this way it was much better.

Rogue went out of her room to get some orange juice, when she bumped into him.

"Going somewhere, Rogue?"

He called her by her name. Something was wrong, he never did.

"That's none of ya business, Swamp Rat. So move." She could fight him, but something in her just wouldn't let her. For the first time she looked into his eyes. Red glowing orbs set on the deepest black. Rogue knew she could stare into his eyes forever.

"Ya been drinking? B'cause ya smell like shit." His usual cologne mixed with cigarettes was now destroyed by deep odor of alcohol.

"Y' didn't answer mon question."

"Neither did ya."

He wanted to tease her but nothing came to his mind. She was the only thing Gambit could think of. In that top she was more tempting that ever. He slipped his hands on her waist and pulled her closer, not breaking their eye contact. He could drown in those emerald pools. They were just breath away from each other, Rogue tried to struggle, she didn't want to hurt him. Gambit ignored her frail attempt and kissed her forcefully. Rogue's eyes widened when she realized what he was doing. It was wrong and she knew it but at the same time it felt so right. In a long time she felt once again alive.

When they deepened the kiss she felt as his thoughts began to flow into her. His grip loosened and he fell unconscious on the floor.

Rogue stepped back still in trance. Before she could fall on her knees and help Gambit, she saw bewildered Warren standing at the stairs. She ran to him, but he already flew away. Desperately, Rogue returned to Gambit.

X

Gambit slowly opened one eye then another. He found himself lying on the couch, instead of pillow he had his head rested on Rogue's lap. She had one hand on his chest and second supporting her head as she was watching him sleeping.

"Ah could get used t' dis." His voice was husky. "So, y' date was de bird-boy?" Gambit asked boldly.

"Did Ah hear jealousy there?" A big grin appeared on Rogue's face. She moved her hand from his chest and gently caressed his cheek. Only then he noticed that she was fully clothed and had gloves on her hands. "It wasn't a date; Warren and Ah are just friends. He helped me to get used to flying."

"What's wit' dis flying t'ing anyway?" He looked up to her, not leaving the comfort of her lap. Rogue's straighten on the couch and nervously started playing with his dark auburn hair.

"It's a long story. Ya really want to hear it?"

He didn't want to push her into something she didn't want to talk about, on the other had he wanted to know all her secrets. So Remy decided to stay quiet for her to decide if she wants to continue.

"There's also a super-strength thing." Rogue let out a silent sigh. "About a month or so after Apocalypse mah powers went gone crazy. Ah couldn't control all the psyches. Last tahme the X-Men managed to help me, but this was too much for them. Ah ran away and met Mystique, who promised ta help meh. She said she found a mutant who could control any power. Mystique said that if I took that mutation Ah could gain mah control; not only of the psyches, but also of mah own power. At first Ah didn't agree to that, but then Ah sent six innocent people to hospital. Ah ran to Mystique practically begging her to show meh that mutant. After Ah sucked her dry Ah found out that Mystique lied. That mutant's powers were flying and super-strength. Ah still don't know her name. The only thing Ah know is that she is trapped in mah mind. The professor's been helping me to free her."

Gambit was watching as one tear fell down her cheek. He sat up and pulled Rogue into his arms. With one hand he was stroking her hair, with second he holding her close.

Rogue was scared to look into his eyes. But then she felt as he took her hand and hugged her. She rested her head on his muscled chest. She felt as if she was meant to be in his strong arms. For the first time since her meeting with Mystique, Rogue began to cry. After few minutes Gambit's t-shirt was wet from her hot tears. He kissed her hair and started to hum softly, it wasn't a melody she recognized. Slowly her crying switched into quiet sobbing.

Rogue broke the silence. "Ah- Ah'm sorry. Ah'll got to sh- shower a- an' don't tell anybody about t- this."

He nodded, watching her go to the bathroom. After few minutes she was out and he went to have his shower.

X

Rogue and Gambit entered the main kitchen together. Their teammates were staring at them like they saw a ghost. When Rogue noticed Warren in the hall, she turned to Gambit.

"Sugah, make me a coffee, would ya?"

All eyes were now on Gambit, as he turned to the coffee machine. Kitty was the bravest to speak.

"What has like happened? Are you two like . . . together? Because, that would be, like totally awesome!" Kitty was speaking in extremely high-pitched tone. She was waving her hands in the air and nearly poured an entire glass of orange juice on Kurt, who was next to her, and wasn't quite so gung-ho about the whole idea of his sister and Gambit.

"Whoa, whoa, petite ami, calm down. She just asked me to make her coffee, it's nothing big." Remy was standing next to the cooker and talking over his shoulder to Kitty, who was still jumping around.

Meanwhile in the hall, Rogue caught up with Warren. She flew in front of him.

"What do you want Rogue? You like him, made that clear yesterday."

Rogue was confused. Warren was her friend, so why was he acting like a rejected boyfriend? She looked straight into his blue eyes. They were burning with anger.

"First, Remy and Ah are just friends, second, Ah'm sorry, but ya know what Ah think about relationships. Ah'm not the right person for anybody. Ya deserve better than somebody whom ya can't touch! Ah like ya and a lot, but just as a friend." Rogue was standing in the hall shouting at Warren. He heard all this once before, when he took her out for dinner. From that time they decided to be just friends.

Rogue swallowed hard and kept staring at Warren.

"You know, Rogue, you don't have to be alone. I like you. That doesn't mean I want to jump straight into your bed. Why can't you give me a chance?"

"Because Ah don't want to hurt you," she tried to speak collected but her voice was shaking.

"Rogue, you are hurting yourself by rejecting everybody around you! You have so many opportunities in your life! Use them! You can't keep yourself shut in that stupid apartment of yours!" Now he was shouting. Warren was the nicest guy she'd ever met and seeing his bad side scared her.

"You can speak with her when y' are cool, got it, mon ami?" Gambit appeared out of nowhere acting as a shield between Rogue and Warren. His voice was sharp and sent shivers down Rogue's spine as well as Warren's.

She immediately grabbed onto the back of Gambit's shirt as a scared little girl. Logan was there just second after Gambit. He grabbed Warren and dragged him off.

"Y' all right, chérie?"

Rogue was still holding his shirt. He turned her over and pulled into a hug.

"Thanks." She mumbled into his chest.

"Remy has to thank y', chérie, y' saved him from Kitty. I knew she could speak a blue streak, but her voice was only audible to dogs."

Rogue let out a weak giggle and loosened her grip. She looked up, into his glowing crimson eyes and shook her head. Gambit could feel the stone falling from his heart as she laughed. Even though there was no reason to be, he was worried about her. Rogue was important to him.

"A- Ah'm going to see the professor." Rogue said, trying to cover the blush that spread over her face.

The day might have started badly for Rogue now she felt it was the best day in her life since her mutation manifested. The sentence was playing over and over in her head. '…we are going to see a mutant scientist whose research might be able to help you…' The professor promised her to tell more when he'll officially announce it as a mission to the entire team.

Rogue jumped and didn't land back on the ground, instead, she was floating. She flew higher and higher in the clouds. It was like dancing with perfect partner, still she was all alone. Rogue wanted to enjoy this moment to the fullest. She took off most of her clothes, except for her underwear. The wind was gently caressing her naked skin as she spread her hands and made another turn in the wet cloud. It was especially cold day. It looked like it was going to rain, the clouds were full of water and Rogue was freezing. With last summersault she began to descend.

Carefully, not to be seen by anybody, Rogue flew to her room. Fully dressed she looked into the mirror. Her hair was wet and she didn't bother to blow dry it. She just brushed her auburn hair and let few white locks frame her face.

All X-Men assemble in my office in five minutes.

Rogue heard the professor's voice in her head. She hated when he did this. Nevertheless, she returned to the mansion. In the office she stood in the corner opposite door. She was one of the first to be there. Of course, professor was sitting beside his desk and Storm was standing next to him. Then there was Logan, leaning against the wall near the professor. After few more silent minutes Bobby, Kitty and Colossus, Jean and Scott filled the room. Rogue didn't notice Gambit entering the room, but when she blinked he was there, leaning on the wall, just few inches away from her.

"This mission is going to be dangerous, so before I tell you anything, Kitty, I'm sorry you'll have to stay at home."

Kitty let go of Colossus' hand, marching angrily from the room. Everyone saw the venomous look she gave the professor

"Now, I have found disturbing records of mutant abductions. I believe the man behind them is called Mister Sinister."

Rogue chuckled to herself as she heard the name; but she froze when Remy grabbed her hand. She looked at him. She had never seen him so pale.

"No!" Gambit shouted, and everybody in the room turned to stare at him, bewildered expressions on their faces, "dat man is pure evil, Professor Xavier. Y' never know what he might be planning, it's too dangerous t' send…" he wanted to say to send Rogue, but realized how stupid it would sound, instead he said: "to send the team." Which sounded silly as well, but he didn't care.

"Is there anything you forgot to tell us, when you joined?" Logan sounded too close, and too dangerous. Remy saw the adamantium claws sliding out too close to his face once again.

"I used to work for him, okay? When I found out dat he's been using mutants for his creepy experiments, I left." Remy was angry that he had to admit it in front of everybody. It was part of his past he wanted to remain dead and buried.

"I'm sorry Gambit, but the team is going to pay Mister Sinister a visit. We have to free the mutants he holds and destroy his research. Or take it to Hank. That depends on what you find." The professor continued as if he had never been interrupted. "You're leaving tomorrow after lunch." The talk was over.

Gambit furiously felt in a similar way as Kitty did, however he didn't slam the door, since he was followed by Rogue.

Logan caught her wrist. "Give him some time, kid. He has a few demons to sort out."

Rogue knew Logan was probably right. Well, Logan would know best about fighting past demons, but Rogue still wanted to follow Gambit and be next to him. Help him in any way she could.

Logan, or as he was known, the Wolverine, was Rogue's closes friend at the mansion. He acted as her mentor, father or just a friend. She could talk to him about everything. He was the first to know what happened with Mystique. Logan let go of her hand and together they walked up to her flat. The professor forbade Logan from keeping beer in any of the mansion's fridges, but he found his way around this rule by storing it at Rogue's.

X

"Thanks, kid. Are you going to be ok?" Logan asked as he was leaving, it was past midnight and Gambit had just returned. He didn't say a word and headed straight to the bathroom.

"Don't worry, Ah got Remy with me."

"That's what I'm worried about." Logan muttered as he left.

Rogue went to the bathroom door and gently knocked. "Ya'll raght in there, sugah?"

With no answer she knocked once again. After five minutes she became restless and was considering smash in the door, when it finally opened. Hot air surrounded the Cajun, who had only a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Ya look terrible. Here, put some clothes on." She handed him a clean white t-shirt and a pair of boxers she found in his bag.

They went together to the living room. Remy sat on the couch and Rogue curled up next to him. She was covered in clothes so without any further thought, he stretched his arm and pulled her closer.

As they were falling asleep in a tight embrace Remy mumbled: "I missed 'y, chère."