CH.8

The next few months passed by with ease. Remy often would visit Skylar in her lab sometimes pestering her with endless questions other times just silently watching her work. Logan came to see her when he wasn't able to sleep, they had moved past the argument and refused to bring up the topic again. Kat was officially an X-men and on the days when the team would go out on missions the mansion was quiet and lonely. When Kat, Logan, and Remy were out on assignments Sky found herself drawn to Dr. McCoy's side to look at his research and have him check over her own. Sky couldn't help but worry when her friends were out in the field and she always greeted them warmly when they returned. This was her new normal life until one day when Skylar was in one of the gym with Logan sparring. Logan clearly had strength on her, but Sky was holding her own nicely.
"So tell me again why you are so good at boxing?"
"My dad owns a boxing gym back in Boston. My brother Ian is going to take it over when my old man finally retires. I spent many weekends watching fighters in the ring and my dad and brothers wanted to make sure I could take care of myself so they taught me how to box when I was little." Logan chuckled as she threw a right hook that connected with his jaw.
"I wish I could have seen you when as a child. I bet you were a riot." Sky laughed and deflected the weak punch Logan threw at her. They continued trading blows until Hank McCoy came into the gym with a troubled look on his face. Sky waited for him to speak, but when he stood there looking at her she started to get worried.
"What is it Hank, is everything alright?" When he still wouldn't speak Wolverine snapped at him.
"Spit it out Beast!"
"Skylar it's your finding." Skylar gave him a confused look, "It's was just on the news. There is going to be a meeting in New York with many people in the scientific community to try and see if your work is accurate. Someone is trying to discredit your research." At that Skylar ran out of the gym to get to the nearest TV where almost everyone was watching the story.
"Botanist Skylar O'Riley, who earlier this you introduced a drug to cure AIDS, is now under heavy scrutiny after being accused of being a mutant. Dr. O'Riley's revolutionary work is in danger of being pulled from distribution which will set the medical community back. The meeting to discuss Dr. O'Riley's work will be held this Thursday in New York City. In other news…" Storm turned off the TV and everyone looked at Sky to gage her reaction. Kat went over to her friend and hugged her tight trying to reassure her.
"I can't believe this." Prof. Xavier rolled up in front of her to provide some comfort.

"Skylar we will help you over come these circumstances." Everyone spoke up to show their support, but none of it seemed to faze her.
"Excuse me, I think I'd like to be alone for a moment."
"Of course we'll get ready to travel to New York for the meeting." Skylar walked passed everyone, up to her lab and gently closed the door. Even Kat, who normally knew just what to say to comfort Skylar, was at a loss for words.
"I never thought being a mutant would discredit her as a scientist." Beast put his hands on Kat's shoulders and shook his head at her words.
"People will always find it hard to accept the work of mutants. Even my work is called into question. It is a constant struggle that we must face."

Later that night Gambit opened the door to Sky's lab and found her nursing a bottle of Jack Daniels in the dark. He didn't even bother turning on the light as he shut the door behind him and took his coat off to play it around her shoulders. Sky mumbled something incoherent at him and took another swig from the bottle.
"Skyla', it's gonna be ok love. Da professa' will be behind you and so's da rest of da X-men."
"The one thing I take pride in is my work. If I was forced to pick anything in this world that I couldn't live with out I would always choose my findings because my research was meant to help people. What I do saves lives and now some jackasses decide that because I was born different my research is no longer valid? Have people always been so fuckin' stupid?" Remy laughed at Sky's slurred words and blurry eyes and sat down next to her so she could lean on him. Instead of protesting like her thought she would Sky let loose and leaned her head on his shoulder before continuing to speak. "I'm good at my job God damn it! I would never use my powers to falsify data and how dare they insinuate that I would do such a thing. Not all mutants become criminals like you. No offence Remy." Remy's arm slid around her to keep her close and he rubbed her arm to soothe her.
"None taken Têtue, Gambit knows he's a t'ief and he's proud of it." Sky pulled back enough to look up into his face.

"What is that that you keep calling me?" Remy chuckled at her suspicious look.

"Têtue. It means stubborn."
"You think I'm stubborn?"
"Skyla' I know you're stubborn. It's one of da many t'ings Gambit likes about you." Sky, satisfied with his answer, went back to leaning on his shoulder and unconsciously snuggled up against his side.

"What else do you like about me?"
"I like da way you run your fingers through your hair when you're thinkin'. I like da way your face lights up when someone asks about your work. Gambit especially like da way you sing to yourself when you're workin'." Sky let out a throaty laugh which made Remy bring her closer to his side. Skylar looked up at him and gave him a lazy and honest smile which caused his heart to skip a beat before speeding up. "But dat smile of yours, Skyla' dat smile makes ol' Gambit forget all his problems."
"You are everything that I hate in a man. You're arrogant, smug, high handed, and most things that come out of that Cajun mouth make when want to smack those suave lips right off your roguishly handsome face."

"Ah girl you're killin' me—."
"But you are the without a doubt the sweetest, funniest, most honest man I have ever met. Every moment I spend with you is a moment worth remembering. Also I want to do depraved things to that body of yours. I feel bad for the mutants that can read my mind because the things I think about when I look at you would drive a person mad." Remy throat suddenly went dry and he took a drink of Sky's whiskey before he tried to speak again.
"Skyla' promise me that you gonna remember you told Remy this tomorrow because I'm not gonna be forgettin' what you said for a long time." Gambit stood up and slid his arm beneath Sky's knee so he could carry her to her bedroom to sleep it off. Once he had her tucked into bed he smoothed her red hair out of her face and cupped her alcohol reddened cheek. "Têtue can you still hear me?"

"Mm hm," Sky's glossy eyes were beginning to droop but she was still technically awake so Gambit had to tell her what he wanted to quickly.

"Remy ain't ever felt this way about a woman before so I don't know how to say it other than this. My hearts hurtin' for you right now so I won't let nothin' happen to your work because…I think I love you Skyla'." Skylar smiled up at him and reached out her hand so she could run her fingertips across his cheek.
"Remy LeBeau you are the best thing that has come out of this situation." Remy leaned down to kiss her but changed his mind and tenderly kissed her forehead instead.

"Promise you'll remember this tomorrow."

"Promise." Skylar turned to the side in her bed and fell asleep. Remy watched her for awhile before slipping out of the room and walking to his own bed. His thoughts were all of the drunk red head that slept soundly at the opposite end of the hall. He prayed she'd remember this night because he knew he was never going to forget it.

(author's note: The story has finally started getting to the point where Sky and Gambit are actually getting together. I really did love this chapter even though I was having a hard time writing it at first. I hope everyone enjoys and please comment.)