Many thanks for the reviews :)

012.

An hour and a half of driving led to many random topics in the car with Gambit. Of course, he continually inserted his jokes about the two of them being together in the car, in bed, in the bathroom at the bar but Hayley shot all of those down. They discussed Storm and her cold personality, Kitty Pryde's pathetic attempts to get in Gambit's pants- "Pussycat ain't my type but it's fun messin' with her", and then some.

They eventually arrived at their destination. He parked in front of a small bar. The bouncers didn't even bother asking for ID- they nodded at Gambit and allowed him in with no questions asked. Gambit must've come here often because many of the people inside greeted him. He tipped his hat to each of his greeters, making small talk with some. Hayley kept her eyes ahead as she heard the whispers around her, wondering who she was. She did her best not to turn red, not wanting them to get the idea that she and Gambit had something aside from friendship.

"What would you like, petite?" Gambit asked as they approached the bar.

"Jack and Coke," she replied.

He chuckled, raising his eyebrow and ordered her drink and one of his own. He led her to a table in the corner, away from the prying eyes of the bar.

"You must come here a lot," Hayley commented.

"And why do you say that?"

"Cause all these people know you."

Gambit smiled. "Sometimes first impressions are lasting impressions."

The bartender came over with their drinks. Hayley sipped on her drink, looking at the people around her. They were all different but all were so inviting and friendly towards another. She smiled at the sight.

"Thinking about me, cherie?"

Hayley rolled her eyes. "If I was, I wouldn't be smiling."

He laughed. "If you say so."

"So are they all mutants?"

Gambit eyed the people around them. "Hard to say. If they are, they haven't shown themselves to me yet."

"Heyyy Remy."

Hayley and Gambit both looked up to find a couple of rather intoxicated women stumbling towards their table. Gambit's lips curved upwards as he stood up to greet the women. Hayley looked the other way. She didn't want to be judgmental but they were bringing upon themselves with their outfits that left little to the imagination. She snickered to herself when she heard the sexual innuedos that the women made towards Gambit.

"Who's your little friend, Remy?" one of them asked, stooping down. Her eyes glared at her, obviously feeling a bit threatened.

Hayley smirked and decided to have a little fun of her own. "Just an old friend of dear Remy," she said as sweetly as she could and had to bite down on her tongue when the women looked shocked. To make it even more fun, she moved closer to Gambit, her hand draping over his shoulders and playing with his hair.

"Care to explain this, Remy?" the other woman snarled.

Gambit laughed. "Like she said, she's just an old friend."

The women grumbled and eventually left. Gambit looked down at her, a bit surprised. "What was that all about?"

"Just thought I'd have some fun myself."

He grinned. "Knew you'd come around eventually."

"Cajun, you wish." She moved away from him, sinking back into her seat and taking a sip of her drink. "Who were those girls?"

He smiled sheepishly. "Two of my many conquests."

Hayley wrinkled her nose. "That's not exactly something to be proud of."

"Well, why not?"

"Don't you want to be in a normal, healthy relationship? You won't get one with sleeping around with as many as women as you can," she said.

He laughed. "Cherie, for me, it's just better this way."

She frowned and was about to say something but decided not to press him about it. If Gambit didn't like being relationships then that was his choice. She wasn't going to be snobby about it. She cleared her throat, changing the subject. "Thanks for taking me out," she said softly. "I needed this."

"Anytime, petite. So," he said, pulling out a pack of cards and shuffling the deck. "We've been together for.. how long? Several months, wouldn't you say? And we don't know a thing about each other."

"Your point?" she asked.

"Well I'd like to get to know the beautiful belle who kidnapped me from my home," Gambit grinned.

Hayley laughed at the memory when she had first met him. "That was a good time," she sighed. She took another sip of her drink. "So, what do you want to know?"

"What turns you on?"

She almost spit out her drink- she hadn't expect something like that to be the first question. But then again, she was speaking to Gambit. She rolled her eyes at him. "Are you serious?"

"C'mon, petite. Tell me what turns you on."

"You'd only use this information to get in my pants," Hayley accused.

"Maybe, maybe not."

Hayley rolled her eyes again and smiled. "Well I love it when guys smell like crap. Like a week old pile of shit. That's just a delicious smell. Really drives me wild. I also love guys with yellow teeth. Did you know yellow's my favorite color? And-,"

"Alright, enough with the jokes, cherie," Gambit said, though he was chuckling himself. "What really turns you on? What'd you like in your beau?"

Hayley chuckled and paused, thinking. "Well.. I love a good sense of humor. Someone who can make me laugh."

"And?"

"Oh I don't know," she sighed. "I just like someone who is funny and laidback but know when it's time to be serious. Someone who's kind, loyal and respectful. Someone who'll protect me and always be there for me. Someone who I can trust." She sighed again and looked at Gambit who had a mischevious grin on his face. "What?"

"Funny? I'm funny, petite. I've made you laugh plenty of times," he said, counting off with his fingers.

Hayley laughed. Normally she would've stopped him and shot him down but not tonight. Maybe it was the alcohol running in her system that clouded her judgement a little bit but she was curious to hear what he had to say.

"Kind, loyal and respectful? That's me. How many times have I held my tongue back for you? Remy's protected you plenty of times," Gambit winked.

"And trust? What about that?" Hayley asked.

"I don't know, joli. Am I trustworthy to you?"

She looked at him in the eye and wondered whether to lie or tell the truth.

"Yeah, you are. For the most part," she finally answered. The truth did really feel good. She held her cup to her lips and took a drink.

"For the most part?" Gambit asked, confused.

"Meaning there's still that small chance that you'll flake out and do something that'll make me never to trust you ever again." She smiled reassuringly at him. "Don't worry. I have that for everyone."

"Hm." Gambit looked at her thoughtfully. "So is there no one that you trust 100%?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I guess Logan would come as the closest I'm coming to trust."

"But is he someone you can trust 100%?"

Hayley felt a little uncomfortable with his questions and it must've been obvious to Gambit because he held his hands up. "Sorry if I'm being pushy, joli."

"No no." Hayley shook her head. "It's just no one's ever asked me those questions before." She paused, thinking about Gambit's question. "I guess my answer would be no. But he's the closest to reaching 100."

Gambit nodded. They sat quietly for a few minutes, taking in the scene before them. People were pairing off left and right to dance, guys walked around with beer glass in their hands, scoping out the ladies while the women made sure their hair was fabulous and perfect.

"Favorite color?"

Hayley chuckled. "How do we go from turn-ons to favorite color?" She shook her head with a grin. "I love gold. Yours?"

"Mmm, right now, I'm into green," he answered quickly.

"Why green?"

He looked down at her, his lips curved upwards to form a small, genuine smile. "Your eyes."

She thanked the heavens that they were in a bar so Gambit wouldn't see her blushing. She could feel her face turning red and getting hot. She looked away at him, not wanting to let him see the smile on her face.

"So, am I turnin' you on now?" he teased.

"You wish, Gamby," she said, rolling her eyes.

He downed his beer and nodded his head over to the dance floor. "Wanna dance?"

Hayley giggled and shook her head. "No way."

"What? Remy LeBeau is up for some dancing and he knows that you have some serious dance moves." Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed her arm and dragged her out on the dance floor.

"Hey!"

He had a rather mischevious grin on his face, his body swaying to the music. He held onto her hand and drew her closer to his body. She giggled and decided to go with the flow. What was the harm in dancing with him? It wasn't like she hadn't done it before.

Their bodies molded together at the rhythm of the music and Hayley found herself having a good time with Gambit. Sure, he could be a pain in the ass a lot of times but deep down, she knew that he was a good guy who didn't mean anything by his remarks and actions. She laughed at his flirtacious comments and gave him playful smacks on his arm when he made them.

The fast song died down and the DJ had turned on a slow song. Hayley looked around, seeing people pairing up with each other. She looked at Gambit and nodded over at their table. "Wanna go sit?"

He smiled. "Nah, I wanna keep dancing, beb." He held out his hand.

Hayley blushed and took his hand. Her body slightly tensed when he placed his other arm around her waist, pulling her close to his body. They swayed back and forth to the sound of Mariah Carey's voice. She rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. But closing her eyes was a bad idea.

What should've been a fun, feel-good night was starting to turn into a night where all she was going to do was think about him.

When you left, I lost a part of me. Is this so hard to believe? Come back baby, please cause we belong together. Who else am I gon lean on when times get rough? Who's gon talk to me on the phone when the sun comes up? Who's gon take your place? There ain't nobody better baby cause we belong together.

"Mon cherie, what's wrong, baby?"

Hayley lifted her head up at the sound of Gambit's concerned voice. "Hm? Nothing."

"You look sad. Somethin' on your mind?"

"No."

"You're not moping about your old beau, are ya?"

Hayley eyed him. "How did you know?"

"I've seen a few heartbroken people in my life," Gambit said with a small laugh. "C'mon, petite. You need to stop thinking about that guy."

"Stop it," Hayley said defensively.

Gambit pouted his lips. "He must've hurt you real good. You really care about this idiot."

Hayley glared at him. "Yeah well maybe I'm an idiot too."

He chuckled. "You ain't no idiot, Hayley. Just someone in love." He suddenly let her go and nodded over back to the table. She followed him and he stood by the table, not saying a word.

"Gambit?" Hayley asked, tapping his shoulder. She was confused why they had abruptly left the dancefloor.

He turned around with fire in his eyes. It scared her a bit and scared her even more when he suddenly had a smile on his face.

"You really love this guy, joli?" he asked.

Hayley smiled sadly. "I do."

He grinned even bigger. "Then let's go find him."

Hayley's eyes widened. "What?"

"C'mon, petite. You really love this guy, right? You really want him back to that school? Well, let's go find him instead of waiting 'round." He grabbed her hand and the two ran out of the bar and towards the car.

"Wait, wait. Why are you helping me?" Hayley asked, stopping in her tracks.

Gambit sighed and walked up to her. "I ain't too sure, petite. But it seems like something that you really need."

"And you're willing to take me to find him?"

"Well, I'm considerin' changin' my mind if you don't get in the car."

Hayley didn't have to think twice. She immediately got into the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt. Gambit got in as well, starting up the engine. He let the car sit for a while, letting the car warm up a bit. "Where should we start?"

"Centerport. Warren saw him there last."

"Cupid?" Gambit said.

Hayley rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Yes. The guy with the wings."

He smiled and patted her hand. "Don't worry petite. We'll find your loverboy."

"Thank you," she sighed happily. "Thank you so much."

Yes, I do find incredible joy in cock-blocking my characters. Hahah.