016.
~TWO MONTH LATER~
"Nice job, kid," Logan praised.
The smoke-filled parking lot disappeared and Hayley sat on the floor of the Danger Room. She was tired, sweaty and panting like a dog for air but despite all that, she felt good. She felt damn good knowing that she finally had her telekinesis under control. Finally.
Without the assistance of Logan, she had successfully taken down ten Sentinels with just her telekinesis. And unlike before, Hayley felt no pain in her head, she didn't collapse during the training session. She was perfectly fine and seeing the small smile on Logan's face made her feel damn good. It wasn't easy to put a smile on Wolfy's face.
"Looks like you got it under control now," he commented, handing her a water bottle. "Proud of you, kid."
"Thanks," she said, inhaling deeply.
They walked out of the Danger Room together, stepping into the elevator. Logan looked down at her. "How you feeling?"
"Pretty damn sweaty. I bet my pits smell. Does your bloodhound nose smell them from here?"
He made a disgusted face. "Be more like a lady, will ya?"
"Oh c'mon, grow up."
"I have. Been for centuries now."
Hayley rolled her eyes. "So what's the schedule for tomorrow?"
"You're with me again. We're playing football."
"Nice."
The elevator doors opened and the two walked off in their separate ways. Hayley walked into her room and sighed.
It had been three months and Rogue had yet to come back or even call. It was as if she had never been in the school. Hayley tried not to be too worried. Rogue was a tough girl who could handle her own but she missed her a lot. She loved Jubilee and the other girls in the house but they weren't Rogue.
Rogue's bed and dresser remained in their spots. Professor Xavier thought it would be best to remove them but Hayley had insisted that they leave everything where it was. Rogue would come back.
Hayley walked over to her side of the room and another sigh escaped her lips. The walls on her side of the room were bare and empty.
Hayley did her best to take John out of her mind and she had done a pretty good job for someone who had gotten her heart ripped out of her body, thrown onto the floor and had a monster truck run over it into a bloody mess. She didn't want to think of him anymore. He obviously didn't care about her and didn't want her to be a part of his life anymore so why should she?
It had been rough but she was perservering. During the time, she tried her best to focus all her pent-up rage to working on her telekinesis. It had been hard but slowly, her telekinesis began approving greatly. Logan had worked hard with her, drilling her, training her and all that had paid off today.
There was a knock on her door. She turned around and saw Jubilee and Gambit standing in front of the doorway. Gambit had his trademark smirk and he made a small salute to her. "Well, you look good, cherie."
Hayley rolled her eyes. "What's up?"
"Gambit and I are gonna go out to a club. I think Warren is gonna come out with us. Wanna come with?" Jubilee asked.
She shrugged. "Oh I don't know."
"C'mon, come out and have fun with us!" Jubilee pouted. "It'll be fun!"
Hayley sighed, chuckling at the same time. She knew that Jubilee would not stop badgering her into going to the club until she said yes. "Alright, what time are we going?"
Jubilee squealed. "We're gonna leave around 10. Get ready and dress to impress!"
She laughed. "Alright, Jubilee."
Jubilee grinned widely. She turned to Gambit and batted her eyelashes. "See you later."
He grinned back. "You know it."
Hayley rolled her eyes, shaking her head in amusement. She threw her towel on her bed and turned to see that Gambit was still resting by the doorway. "Can I help you?" she asked.
His grin never left his face. "Just wonderin if you needed any help. You look tired, petite."
She chuckled. "Thanks but no thanks. I'm fine."
"You sure? Remy's good with his hands."
"Get out!" Hayley yelled with laughter.
Gambit laughed with her and smiled. "It's good to hear you laughin' again cherie. I'll see you later." With a wave of his hand, he walked away.
Ever since the Centerport incident, their friendship had grown. They were no longer strangers who flirted and bickered with one another. They were actually friends- good friends. Hayley couldn't help but grow to adore him, especially after everything he had done for her. He had driven her to Centerport, saved her life on numerous ocassions and had tried many different times to make her smile during her grieving period. She had a new found respect for him. He continued to remain flirtacious and make sexual innuedos but it didn't bother her anymore. They had become good friends now and she felt comfortable enough to trust him though she didn't tell him everything about her life and he was the same.
While he had a friendly, outgoing personality, anytime someone would mention parents, family or home, his mouth remained shut until there was a change in topic. Hayley noticed this on several ocassions. As much as she hated to admit, he reminded her of John. Never talking about his personal life, always closed-off from people. She never pressured him into opening up though. She didn't want to be that kind of person. She just wanted to be a friend.
She grabbed her towel and hopped into the shower. She only had two hours to get dressed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hayley took one last look in the mirror, satisfied with her look for the night. She wore her dark strapless red dress that hugged her body in the right places. Going for a simple look, she applied just eyeliner and mascara. She put on some gold earrings and a necklace. Rogue would be so proud of her for achieving such a look by herself.
She walked down to the garage where Jubilee, Warren and Gambit would be. To her disgust, Kitty and Bobby were there as well, dressed and ready to go. Jubilee looked at her apologetically as she approached them.
"Sorry... we asked Bobby, just Bobby but then Kitty overheard too," Jubilee whispered.
Hayley rolled her eyes. "Whatever, it's fine." She wasn't going to let them ruin her night.
"We're taking two cars, by the way," Jubilee said. "Me and Warren are gonna go with Bobby and the bitch so you won't have to deal with her. Lord knows what you'll do to her. You and Gambit will go together." She smiled mischeviously. "That's a new dress, Hayley," she commented.
"Oh please, I didn't wear this to impress him!" she whispered back.
"Alright, ready to go?" Bobby called out, looking a bit uncomfortable.
Jubilee squealed and grabbed Warren's hand, scrambling into the backseat of the car. Kitty merely gave Hayley a sneer before getting into the passenger seat. Hayley rolled her eyes and turned around to find Gambit eyeing her up and down.
"My cherie amor, just when I thought you couldn't look any more beautiful," he said in a low voice.
Hayley felt her face flush and turning red. Gambit chuckled and took her hand, bringing it up to his lips. "Ready?" he asked.
"Yep."
He held the door open for her like a true Southern gentleman. He got into the car and turned on the engine. "Glad that you came out, petite. I need a dancing partner."
"Are you drunk already? You know I can't dance."
Gambit shook his head. "No way, petite. You's a great dancer."
They followed Bobby's car to the club, singing together to the songs that came on the radio. When they arrived at the club, there was a line but Gambit seemed to know the bouncers and got them in rather quickly. Hayley chuckled and looked up at Gambit. "That hypnotic charm must be a blessing," she whispered into his ear.
"You have no idea," he replied back with a wink.
The group managed to get a table and the boys went to get some drinks for the ladies. Jubilee sat in the middle, between Hayley and Kitty. It was an awkward position to be in and Hayley found herself being anxious for Warren and Gambit to come back so she'd have people to talk to.
The boys came back with shots and drinks. Gambit took his seat next to Hayley and handed her her drinks. "Cheers," he said with a smile.
Hayley smiled and clinked glasses together. They took their shots and she started to take a sip from her drink. They watched in amusement as Jubilee and Kitty both dragged the reluctant Warren and Bobby out onto the dance floor. He turned over to Hayley. "Shall we?"
She laughed and nodded. He took her hand and they both went out to the dance floor. She giggled when he pulled her towards him by the waist. She pushed him away with a mischevious grin and started dancing with Jubilee. She laughed when his face fell in shock. He quickly recovered, grabbing her gently by the waist and pulling her towards him.
Hayley cried out in mock terror and reached her hands out to Jubilee. "No! Don't make me dance with him, Jubs!"
Jubilee giggled loudly and winked. "Don't get too frisky now!" She flashed a big grin before taking Warren's hands to dance.
Gambit wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her even closer to him. It seemed as though their bodies were made for each other. They moved so naturally to the rhythm of the music. Pressed up against each other, face to face, legs between one another's. He had a devilish smile as his head nuzzled into the crook of her neck and she giggled, biting her lip back to stop a moan from coming out of her mouth when she felt his hot breath hit her skin. Chills went down her spine and goosebumps were starting to appear on her skin.
A strange feeling washed over her body and she didn't understand what it was that she was feeling. This wasn't their first time dancing together but somehow, this time, it felt different.
She lifted her head up to look at him and saw him staring down at her. There was intensity in his red eyes. The way his eyes roamed over her face, over her body suddenly sent even more chills down her body. The hand on her waist gripped tighter and his other hand removed the loose hair from her face, leaving his hand to cup her cheek.
"Gambit," she started to speak but he put a finger over her mouth. He leaned over to her ear.
"Don't say anything, cherie," he whispered.
Hayley's heart began to race when he moved closer to her face. She closed her eyes.
"Hey!"
Her eyes opened wide and she was ready to blast a fireball at the person who interrupted them. She narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists when she saw that it was Kitty standing next to them with a smirk on her face. "Mind if I cut in?" she asked.
Kitty was a clever bitch; she knew that Hayley wouldn't pull out her powers in public. Hayley looked at Gambit who opened his mouth to speak. "Well, Kitty Cat, I was still in the middle of dancing with-,"
"No, it's fine," Hayley interrupted him. She forced a smile on her face for him. "I'll be waiting at the table."
Without waiting for a response, she quickly pushed her way out of the crowd and back to the table. She was pissed that Kitty would interrupt them but then she caught herself. Why was she feeling this way?
Her eyes roamed over to the dancing Kitty and Gambit. She had to laugh at the scene before her. Kitty was trying a bit too hard to impress him with her dancing skills and by the look on her face, she thought she was doing a good job. However, Gambit's face told a different story- he seemed terrified of Kitty's dancing and looked as though he was trying to find a way out.
She chuckled again, her eyes transfixed on Gambit and him alone. Their eyes met.
"Oh my God.." she said slowly as she realized why tonight was a different night than the rest.
She liked him.
She liked Gambit.
"Hey, what are you doing here by yourself?"
Hayley turned around to see Bobby heading over with a beer in hand. "Needed a break from dancing," she said.
Bobby chuckled. "Yeah.. me too." He sat close to her, taking a sip of his beer. He cleared his throat and looked over at her. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry about what?" Hayley asked, confused at his sudden apology.
"With Rogue."
"Oh." Hayley felt awkward to be discussing about her at a night club out of all places.
Bobby sighed, running his hand through his hair in frustration. "I fucked up. I know I did. I know nothing I do now will ever make up for it. But I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. If Rogue were here-,"
"Apologizing to Rogue won't make her love you again. You fucked up." Hayley couldn't help but say those words. She knew that he was being genuine and sincere in his apology but she still harbored ill feelings towards him and the whole situation.
"I know. I fucked up and lost the best thing in the world," he sighed. "I like Kitty but she's not Rogue."
"Then why be with her?" she asked. "Why be with Kitty? Because you can touch her?"
Bobby sighed. "Hayley, I'm a guy-,"
"That's bullshit. Don't give me that fucking excuse that you're a guy and you have urges that Rogue couldn't help you with," she spat.
He looked away from her accusing stare, ashamed. After a few minutes, he looked back at her. "I'm sorry. I don't know what else I can say or do... but please know that I am truly sorry for what I did."
Hayley didn't know what to say. She wanted to punch him for giving an apology months late but she couldn't bring herself to do so. He was truly remorseful of his actions.
"Bobby.. I don't know. Saying sorry isn't going to change things. Saying sorry isn't going to bring her back."
"I know. But I wanted to say it anyway."
She gave him a soft smile. "You should go back on the floor and dance."
"What about you?"
"I'm fine here."
"Hayley!"
Hayley looked up and saw Gambit walking quickly her way. Bobby smiled and left the table, walking back into the dance floor. She was caught off guard when he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her seat. "Where are we going?" she asked loudly.
Gambit looked at her and grinned. "How about we just get outta here and go somewhere else? Just the two of us? Remy's a little tired of dancing now."
"Tired of dancing or wanting to run away from Kitty Cat?" Hayley laughed.
"Little bit of both. So what do you say? Wanna get on outta here, cherie?"
Hayley found herself hesitating. Now that she knew of her feelings, she was scared to be alone with him now. Her heart was racing and her mouth was dry. "Um..."
"I promise I ain't gon do anything you don't want me to do. You should know that by now, petite."
She looked up at him and he almost had a sad look on his face. She felt bad. He was right. He wouldn't do anything to make her feel uncomfortable.
"Alright," she finally said. "Let's go."
Sorry for the lack of updates- been busy with school since finals week is near. :(
And again, thanks for the reviews and favoriting this story. I really truly appreciate it!