Chapter 12 Con Artists
In Egypt…
"I can't believe I'm doing this." Nicole whispered as they crept around inside the museum. She saw a very beautiful necklace before her attention was captivated by Remy's motions. Gambit smiled and pointed to a camera. He put his index finger to his mouth telling her to be quiet.
When they had arrived at the hotel, the night was already upon them. A friend of the Professors let them hide the Jet on their property and they in return paid for the help. Her hackles were already raised to hear the bright warm greeting from the receptionist giving rather lavish details regarding their stay. Her eyes glowed looking at their reservation and her mouth fixed to tell them information regarding their suite. Nicole's head whipped so fast to look at Remy as he shrugged and provided his card for her to have on file. She glared into his face all the way up the elevator while her mouth asked who was fitting this bill. The Professor would not be happy to receive the receipt to this. Of course Remy assured her that was taken-cared of by himself and that he simply wanted her to enjoy this mission since it would be their first major one together. When they entered the room she saw how magnificent the room was. The color scheme was beige and light green. Floor laps were in two of the corners with big leafy plants around the room. Large silk green curtains hung from the ceiling to the floors hiding the large windows and balcony entrance. On the bedside table there were red flowers in a vase and white sheer curtains surrounded the white Egyptian cotton bedding. Her breath was taken and she was very impressed until she realized that there was only one single bed. He of course went in and set his things down not thinking twice of her suspicious glare.
Nicole wanted to relax before doing anything but Remy had other plans. Remy was already getting dressed in his uniform and coat duster transforming into Gambit. He told Nicole his midnight plan but she didn't think he was serious. After all they could just visit the museum during the day and if they saw anything special they would go back and retrieve it. When she had come out of the quick shower in a tank and shorts she had found him sitting on the bed putting on his combat boots dismissing her logic. She tried to urge him not start on the mission but he smiled saying that he loved the museum at night and he wanted to enjoy their time here together a bit longer. Not wanting to miss out if he found something she turned to find her own uniform. She asked questions regarding his natural ability to know the layout of this specific museum as he seemed rather smug about getting in. He shared with her his many visits when his particular skills were hired that required him to navigate the famed Cairo Museum of Egyptian Artifacts. They snuck out of their hotel using her flight powers and both ran along the tops of stacked homes, businesses, and hotels to the roof top of the museum. Remy took out his tools and quickly unlatched a vent before jumping in and ushering her to follow. Now they were inside the museum dodging cameras, security lasers, and night guards.
They crept around the west wing looking around being careful not to touch anything in case sensory alarms went off. An hour and thirty minutes later they had found nothing so they decided to finish up in the east wing where a few additional artifacts were on display. When they entered the room they found it was heavily guarded. Nicole had watched Gambit a couple of times making sure he didn't get sticky fingers and to watch him work. She had found it amazing at how agile and knowledgeable he was as he ducked and dodged the security cameras and sensors telling her exactly where to step and where not to. He was all over the place and she realized just how formidable Gambit could be if provoked and hired for the right price of course. This was like his personal playground. He thrived and she witness another aspect of being that she found rather attractive.
In the King Tut's section, it was so heavily guarded that Nicole wasn't sure how they were going to ditch the security. Three guards circled the area with cameras in every corner scanning the area. Sensory lasers circled around the items in the room allowing little space to touch without setting off the alarms. There were three openings that lead to the other parts of the museum, but they needed to go to the one on the right. Nicole turned to tell Gambit that it wasn't possible to get past them all. When she turned she saw Gambit's face light up and he had the biggest smile on his face. She watched his dark eyes came aglow with mischief at the obstacle. He surveyed the area, seemingly to analyze every aspect and opening he could find. When he was satisfied he lower his head down and gave specific instructions for her to hear.
"Petite, you see over there in the next room?" He pointed and moved her shoulders slightly forward so she could see. She followed his eyes and saw the next room wondering what did that have to do with what was going on in here.
"Okay, I want you to create a gust of wind in the next room and rattle some thing's around in there si'l vous plait." He asked.
Nicole nodded understanding she was giving a distraction. She turned and squatted into a stance. She moved her hands in a circular motion and pushed outwards. In the next room you could hear something rambling loudly. Two of the guards left to go check it out but one stayed and looked around nervously. Nicole stopped when she saw them leave and turned to Gambit again. He moved her shoulders so she could see in the other room across from their position. Being the fact that she was too short, she still couldn't see. He saw her predicament so he lifted her quickly before the guard turned to see in their position. They ducked down and waited for him to turn back around. When Nicole saw this she stood straight and blew hard causing wind to blow in the room across from them. The guard ran in with his club drawn expecting to find someone sneaking around. Gambit stood quickly and looked at the camera in his corner. Nicole peeked to see the camera turn toward the other direction and Gambit shot out jumping over lasers and rolled one time to the other door. When he made it he turned to look at her as she squatted to avoid the camera.
Gambit looked over at the guards and saw them coming back in the room. He looked at the camera and saw it getting ready to turn. He looked at Nicole with a smirk and called her with his index finger. His eyes narrowed as he watched her shake her head frantically no. He mouthed the word 'Now' but she just stepped back and shook her head again.
Nicole was so nervous. She saw every one return to the room but she couldn't just run out there and get caught. She'd never stolen anything in her life except of chewing gum when she was six. And she was so nervous and upset she ended up breaking down and telling on herself to the store clerk expecting the go to jail. The cashier of course felt bad for her and let her have it but gave her a nice scolding about stealing. She looked around to find another way but her options weren't available now. Her best bet was to wait till the camera turned and try to go when their backs were turned as well. Nicole was so nervous but determined not to let Remy down. So she swallowed her fear and her eyes had this determined look in them.
'Come on petite.' Gambit thought as he pulled out a card and got ready to charge it when something amazing happened. His eyes got big and his mouth cracked a bit. 'Well I'll be damned.'
Nicole blew more wind but this time from another room and a bit more rumbuncous. The loud sounds immediately spooked the guards who rushed into the room with weapons out leaving the room they were in unguarded. She waited for the camera to move and immediately she ran across the way silently right into Remy's hold.
He touched her cheek warmly very proud of her. She looked up at him and was greeted by his smirk. Very quickly he checked the way and picked her up by her waist. With years of practice he held her and moved in silence around the views of the cameras and pass the motion detectors. His deep voice whispered in her ear when they reached a stop. "You would make a fine thief Amor." Nicole just let him carry her because she was trying to calm her nerves down on the inside. When they made it to another room that wasn't so heavily guarded, he put her down and they continued to search.
Finally after another hour they were in the room where she saw the pretty necklace earlier. This room wasn't as heavily guarded as the others. The only thing that was being guarded was the necklace which had a camera and many lasers surrounding it. The room however just had a few sensory lasers on the floor. Nicole was waiting at the entrance of the room realizing their position. She turned to see Remy right behind her getting ready to go through when she held out her hand blocking his passage.
"Gambit, we've been in here before. It's safe to say that the amulet isn't here at all. We should head out." She whispered.
Gambit smirked and just pushed her hand away. "Not before I take a little souvenir with me." He flicked his stick causing it to elongate. With his staff in hand he proceeded to jump over a laser.
Nicole looked at him with wide eyes and shook her head. "Are you insane?!" she whispered harshly with her eyes scanning the area.
By then he had already slid under the sensory lasers. Remy flipped over another one and used his staff to hold his weight as he walked laterally up the wall and came spiraling down on the other side of the camera's view that was in the corner. He tilted his staff on the wall creating a ramp that would lead him to the camera. He walked up his staff skillfully with ease. He went to the camera and he pulled out a tiny metal hook. He went to work on the camera being extremely quiet with his task. Nicole watched as she crossed her arms and leaned on the door way watching out for security. Suddenly the camera stopped moving but it faced the other side of the exhibit. Gambit got down and took back his staff and he jumped over more lasers before he made it in front of the glass incased necklace that she liked.
Nicole turned around and whispered harshly, "Oh my god! I'm serious! Don't you take that!"
Gambit just put on a lopsided smile before he pulled out these two shiny looking cards and he stuck one in front of a few lasers and deflected it from the case. She watched fascinated as the cards held tiny kickstands to hold them upright so that they didn't require him to hold them anymore. He then used the other one and reflected the others. With lasers no longer an issue he lifted the case.
"Oh my God!" Nicole muttered as she looked around for security again. Seeing no one, she flew over the lasers and landed next to Gambit. She watched fascinated as he fried the wires along the case and the stand deactivating the security sensors.
Gambit laughed softly and took the case. He sat it on the ground beside them. He picked up the necklace and looked at it with a mischievous gaze. He lifted the necklace gently holding it out for her. She frantically shook her head before a soft gasp left her. The cold sensation from the gold and precious stones touching her skin was felt. She looked down watching him clasp it around her neck while feeling the weight of the rather heavy piece. "Yo' like Chere'?" He asked smirking at the smile growing on her face.
Nicole looked down at herself and touched it gently. It felt very heavy and she did feel like a little girl playing dress up. She fingered the stones and for a split second she wanted to run off with it. Then she snapped out of it and went to take it off. "Yeah, Remy. It's lovely." She whispered softly.
He smiled and helped her take it off. Then he placed it back where it was the same way he found it. He put the case back on the stands while she moved to watch out for guards seeing that these particular men were a bit lazy compared to the vigilantes in the other rooms. "Well now Nicole, I had t' measure it if I was going t' give yo' one."
Nicole rolled her eyes and watched him take his cards back. The lasers went into place again like before. Remy once again maneuvered like a cat through danger before reaching the entrance where they originally dropped in from the vents. He bowed and offered her to go first. Shaking her head she flew up. He looked around before he was grabbed by his collar and lifted up as well. The metal guard to the vent was put back into place and the men inside remained clueless to their presence.
They exited the roof on a high filled with light laughter and quick movements out of sight and view. After a few minutes she lifted them in the air and flew back to the hotel. They landed on their suite's balcony and maneuvered inside their room. Nicole's heart beat fast and she lay back on the bed covering her eyes.
Remy smiled brightly and lifted the window allowing what little cool air to blow into their room. "See now dat wasn't so bad, no?"
Nicole laughed and leaned up on her elbows. She tried to think of words to say but she just shook her head and lay back down. Remy walked over to his bag and found his clothing. He walked by her but stopped to bend down and kiss her on the cheek. She leaned into his kiss loving the feel of his lips on her skin. He pulled away and went into the shower quickly. Nicole smiled broadly still feeling the weight of the necklace around her neck. Her mind went over the mission when she laughed realizing that there were like five more museums to visit. She definitely will not be doing this an additional five more times. She would put her foot down this time. While he was in his shower she quickly changed her clothes back into her tank top and shorts that she had on earlier. She cut off the lights except for the lamp next to the bed. She picked up her laptop out of her bag and climbed in the bed while propping herself against the headboard using the pillows. Nicole pulled the covers over her lower half before she began to look at all the cool museums around Cairo. She definitely wanted to check them out but as a normal individual during operational hours.
Remy came out of his shower with black sweat pants and a naked torso on when he stopped to see Nicole all cozy and comfortable sitting on the bed with a smile on her face. He used the towel he had to finish soaking up the water in his hair while he continued to just watch her happily researching away in a bed that they would share for the first time. He was spellbound by her light nature. He found he liked very much the image of her happy and comfortable while relaxing in a space that they shared. She made the space look homey and warm unlike the many places he had been and/or slept in. She laughed about something that caught her interest before shaking her head and clicked away. He put the towel he had in a pile she had started and strolled towards the bed. "If I knew this would make yo' so happy, I would've booked us a room in Paris sooner."
Nicole stopped and looked at him with humor in her voice. "No, I think things happened at the right time when they were meant to. If we were sent out on something like this earlier I probably would've thought you were mad and a creeper." She said playfully before closing her laptop. She sniffed his scent finding he smelled of old spice and mint. Remy climbed on the other side and lay nonchalantly next to her. She moved her laptop to the side and placed it on the night stand before snuggling down to look at Remy. She didn't feel the least bit awkward about their sleeping arrangement despite her initial thoughts. In fact she found herself to be the opposite.
She smiled looking at his grin as he climbed into the covers as well. He looked at her and smirked. "You know you just might have a career in profiteering."
She laughed loudly shaking her head. "Is that what you call it?" He smiled and rolled over to reach for his duster. She bit the inside of her cheek seeing what he was in search for.
"Now don't get ahead of yourself, Amor. I mean just as an apprentice" He mumbled before finding the carton he wanted and popping a cigarette in his mouth. She leaned over his body and took it out of his mouth and put it on the night stand next to her.
"No you don't." She said watching as his lips seemed to follow the thing. She put her index finger to his lips and pushed him back. "You will not ruin this nice room and oxygen with your bad habit."
"How am I going to destress?" He asked playfully laying back down on his side watching her toss it away. She turned back to him and wiggled close to his body. He grinned and wrapped his arms around her kissing her temple. Her hands lay gently on his chest and she looked up.
"I hope this helps some." She mumbled feeling a little bit sleepy now.
"I'll help yo' find out what ya' can do for me" He reached over and pulled her body on top of his. She playfully squealed holding on until she was above him staring down into his red and black eyes. She cupped his cheek rubbed his cheekbone with her thumb sensually. "You never give up do you?"
Remy stared into her big round ones. "What kind of thief would I be if I did? An' look where it's landed me." He flicked his wrist toward her. "I finally got you alone, to myself, and now in my bed all in the same day."
Nicole laughed a little feeling her cheeks grow hot. "It's going to take a lot more than a few pretty words, a devilishly handsome smile, and a night time stroll through a museum to swoon me."
His eyes still held humor in them at her words. "Then allow me to convince you." He leaned up and kissed her on the lips. She stilled before her eyes closed and she gave into his motions. Her body relaxed on top of his, enjoying the velvet feel of the kiss. Remy's hands came up and roamed her sides feeling her curves against his body. His hands ran down her back and cupped her butt causing her to moan loudly. Soon she found herself being rolled onto her back. Her hands reached up to tangle in his hair while her lips dance with his. Their kiss grew more passionate and limbs entwined in tangles until both decided to pull apart for air. Nicole looked up at him with hazed eyes and a wide grin. She felt completely comfortable and safe in his presence. But, she wasn't sure she was ready to go all the way with him. Especially not because of opportunity. Nicole sighed blissfully content and very much feeling more than she would admit out of fear.
Remy bent down to kiss the side of her neck before humming appreciatively into her skin. His mind and body was wreaking havoc on his senses. His eyes opened to look at her again before pecking her on the lips. He felt her tense and knew this was a safe place for them both to stop. He pulled back to see her bright gaze with warmth and trust. This rattled him. It had been a long time since anyone looked at him like that as if he some great protector of hopes and dreams. He smiled liking the feeling that bubbled inside of him. Remy rolled to his side and pulled her to him protectively. He thought of his long road to this place of peace and calm. He thought he had lost everything especially when he had to watch everyone go about finding happiness while he was stuck trying to overcome his demons and shoulder the hurt he felt from his team and failed relationship with Rogue. He tried everything to make it work with her and blamed himself for the fallout. However, when he witnessed her betrayal he knew it wasn't completely to blame. Rogue and himself were simply not meant to be. And then right when he debated leaving the X-men, the little woman in his hold showed up at the front door like a little summer refreshment. He held her close to him in their opulent hotel room that smelled of her body wash and his old spice. He knew this was as close as to recovering all that he had lost that he would feel. But hesitation filled him. She had so much going for her. Nicole was smart, had a great career working with Xavier, a loving family, and didn't have any baggage like what he carried on his back. Not to mention he was a lot older than she was. Surely, he would be a little experiment to her until she found someone her own speed and moved on. Doubt began to fill him and he shifted against her not liking his train of thought.
"I don't think I can go back and be the same way as we were before." Nicole spoke lowly shocking him out of his negativity. His eyes widened to look down at her while she bashfully drew imaginary shapes on his chest with her index finger. Remy moved to sit up watching her pull back. He reached for her to capture her attention wanting to hear her certainty.
"Really? I don't think you know what you're saying." He countered inwardly begging for her to prove him wrong.
"But I do." She said strongly sitting up now looking at him daringly. "I-I like what we have. Here. I don't want to feel like I have to be hiding or ashamed of my relationship with you. Whatever relationship this is." She corrected confused as to where they stood. She wasn't one to be used or manipulated. She damn sure wasn't the type of woman to be clinging on to a relationship that was only valid in the dark and away from public. She had more self-respect than that.
"I'm not exactly getting any younger Cher, as everyone keeps pointing out." He whispered frowning a bit.
She saw this and went into thought. It was true, Remy was older than her. He was in his thirties whereas she just broke into her mid 20's. Nicole never saw this as an issue but she had heard through the grapevine that others did. But, she spoke to her mom and her best friend finding their opinion to mater more than anyone else's. Her mother liked Remy from her few visits to the mansion and told her that she was a grown woman. To just be smart and do what would make her happy. So she stopped caring about any differences they had and other opinions. She stopped trying to act tough and when he was being flirty in front of the others she was sure she shocked them all by flirting back and enjoying his company. Nicole looked at him and moved to kiss his lips again. "I think I found you at just the right time in my opinion. You've aged rather handsomely. They should have tried to get you while they had the chance."
He kissed her deeply putting his fingers in her hair and holding her to him a bit longer. He pulled back enjoying her bright smile and confirmation in her eyes. Nicole could feel herself getting sleepy and a yawn accidently slipped from her lips. It had to be almost morning there. "Well, what do we do now?"
"Well for starters, dis Monsieur Remy Lebeau will take yo' tomorrow on our first date to explore de museums and de' pyramids. Mi Amor, sleep now and tomorrow we will deal with the rest."
She nodded in agreement. He rolled over and with a quick flick of his finger he turned off the lights on her bedside table. Maybe they could push back going home a few days. She thought. She snuggled alongside her new pillow and smiled with anticipation for the next day and the day after that. What could possibly go wrong? Her eyes closed and she found herself being pulled into a peaceful sleep.