Okay, so I'm officially holding my chapters hostage from now on. I was blown away by the incredible reviews! Thank you all, but especially to these guys for the particularly long and/or insightful reviews:
SHOUT OUTS:
SailorSun/Story Junky – Just to let you all know there would not BE a story if not for this gal. Back in 2003 she helped me map out this whole thing and really gave me some great ideas and suggestions. I've been using the outline we created to help fill in some of the gaps and rework my ideas. So a HUGE THANK YOU to SailorSun for all the help and patience throughout the years.
Sassy18 – Awesome, LONG review. It's great to see so many people liked my "plane ride" scenes in Chapter 4. I'm hoping to do another similar scene with the orbs.
Psylocke – wonderful review with great insights and feedback. Are you an English major? You sure sound like one – that or very professional. I love you feedback and hope you keep dishing it out.
RogueChere – good information on being too graphic – I think I've come up with an official decision based on your advice.
To "V" since you didn't leave an email – that is exactly what I have intended for one of the last chapters. It's another plot device that will help these characters become more dynamic. Plus, by waiting for now, it leaves that edge in the middle chapters and creates more friction and, trust me, a lot more internal conflict for both Rogue and Gambit.
Thanks to all these guys for adding my story to your favorites! It means a great deal to me. Arian69 – who gives great reviews! Lil'crazzigurl; LuckyTurtle; M.B. Wade; New Moon Night – another regular reviewer; PyroWhore – more great reviews; Ryan628; b.a.n.h.s.f.c. – What does that even stand for?? Deadsnowhite; death06; egolust92; le rose noir – great story by the way, when are you going to update?!
Another thanks to all the following people for adding me to their favorite author's list. It's an unbelievable high for me when I'm added as a favorite author – it's like winning an Emmy!
1. Abaiisiia 2. Alan DeSeras 3. Arian69 4. egolust92 5. 6. Evil-Triplet-Mah 7. Fayre Aiden 8. firebird802 9. hollywinter 10. Kaika-sama 11. MidniteAngelGoth 12. MistressDarkness 13. Ms Mab 14. PyroWhore 15. Rogue87 16. RoguesHeart 17. RomyGirl123 18. rubyred517 19. TayTay1 20. x-kitty-x
END OF SHOUT OUTS
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AUTHOR'S NOTES: (IMPORTANT stuff is bolded)
So, as I've recently been informed that my whole story can get deep-sixed if I don't be careful with the rating or details (thank you again RogueChere), I've decided to create a parallel story called "Getting Warmer - Higher Rating" (clever ain't it?).
Now don't freak out anyone. This will be the EXACT same story with the exact same chapters, plot, etc, but I will simply insert my "M" chapters with all the fun details into the higher rating story as "chapter 9 Version B" for example. The original story will have all the pertinent information, but without the racy stuff. That way, if the higher rating one gets removed from FFN, I still have the original...
It's practically the same as having it posted on another site anyhow, but this way, fans can choose their rating and stick to that story… And I still get my reviews and such.
AND all you fans can simply click on the "Add to Author Alert (or favorite author…just a suggestion) and FFN will automatically update you when I post the "Higher Rating" chapters.
AND, both versions of the story will be posted on the same day at practically the same time to save me the hassle of maintaining both stories (especially since only a few chapters will be different.
AND! I will notify everyone in the original story when the "Higher Rating" story has an additional chapter (racy chapter) being added.
I hope everyone likes this idea, because it's about the best I can come up with aside from moving it to another site – which most people hate anyhow.
I'm also surprised by how many people didn't care if I up-ed the rating, but because of my fears of getting booted from FFN, I've decided to use this approach instead. Plus, this way all of my underage viewers still get to read (not that the rating really stops them, but hey, my conscience is clear at least).
If you are fine with "M" ratings you will DEFINITELY dig a few of my upcoming chapters. I will only be hinting at stuff with the "T" rating so everyone gets the idea of what has happened (as the M scenes are a big plot pusher), but I won't include any graphic details.
So, I had to do the thanks and stuff and since I promised, but, here's another chapter. IT WAS going to be short, but I've officially hit like 10+ pages, so yeah... I hope you all appreciate that I'm going to get FIRED if anyone finds out this is what I've been doing at work the last three days… I mean, heck, I didn't actually EXPECT to get that many reviews…
Love and light,
Wiccamage
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Last time in Getting Warmer -
Gambit, knowing he hadn't a moment to lose, fingered a small stone and rolled it around in his hands for a moment. He flicked the pebble down the hallway, and like the good little watchdogs they are, the stone monsters went chasing after the noise – leaving the front door wide open and unprotected.
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Gambit rushed through the now unprotected throne room as the guards inspected the source of the disturbance and, staying close to the walls, he slipped into the adjoining chamber unnoticed.
He left the door slightly ajar and turned slowly to gaze upon Rogue's sleeping form. She lay upon a stone altar that was tall enough to reach his waist with intricate golden trim adorning every corner and weaving around the sides in fascinating patterns. Between the swirling shapes of gold were inlaid jewels of differing sizes and colors. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, topaz and the like formed a delicate weave of pictures across the stone slab.
Gambit frowned slightly when he saw the topaz – there were large quantities of it surrounding the entire room, but compared to the other precious gems it was hardly worth anything. He wondered briefly why Apocalypse would want topaz at all, but shrugged it off.
Gambit turned his attention back to the girl on the altar. She looked so peaceful with her auburn and white hair splayed out across a small golden pillow and remained blissfully unaware of the chaos to come.
Gambit, on the other hand, was all too sensitive to the hell they were about to encounter and despite the pounding in his heart he smiled wistfully. He almost wished she would just sleep through the entire ordeal and only wake up once she was safe in her own bed again.
"Poor girl don' deserve all dis mess," he thought sadly as he approached the altar.
He paused a moment to really look at her as she lay still and quiet – the only sign of life evident by the rise and fall of her breathing.
She wore a long, sleeveless black dress that tightly hugged her bosom and showed off her… assets. Gambit raised his eyebrows in surprise; those X-Men uniforms must be really uncomfortable to hide so much.
The trim along the top of the dress was sewn with golden thread in the same complex pattern as the altar. It created a small band of shining lace that circled her chest and disappeared beneath her bare arms.
Gambit's eyes wandered down as he took in the smooth black silk dress that accentuated every curve and molded against her body. As his gaze reached her thighs, he noticed a sliver of pearl white skin peeking out from the long slits on either side of the dress. They continued downward where the dress ended at the ankle and exposed a pair of simple golden sandals. They were laced all the way up her calves and eventually vanished under the black expanse of silk, causing Remy to swallow a sudden lump in his throat.
He then glanced at her toes, which were painted black to match her fingernails and he noticed a few golden toe rings and anklets – all of which were encrusted with precious gems. In fact, her entire body was adorned in gold and jewels.
A large golden necklace inlaid with sapphires and amethyst rested against the pale skin of her nearly exposed breast as it rose and fell gently. She wore a pair of earrings as well – small sapphire studs above and a pair of larger diamonds dangling from the lobes.
Gambit frowned at the small flecks of dried blood on her cheeks and ears and noted the small needle that still lay beside her head.
So they had pierced her ears, too. "Foi de merde," he cursed angrily. (Roughly 'piece of … crap)
He tore his gaze away from the blood and took in the rest of the ensemble. Bracelets, rings, anklets and other accessories graced every open expanse of skin and despite the gravity of the situation the sight of her took Gambit's breath away.
He noted that her eyelids were still painted with her typical smoky shade and her lips maintained a tint of her purple/black lipstick, but the makeup was less prominent than usual and didn't overwhelm her features.
But the dark shadows under her eyes certainly did.
Gambit wondered how long it had been since she had really gotten any quality sleep. She had spent the last few nights under Mesmero's control wandering around absorbing people for Apocalypse and it couldn't be all that restful for a body.
"Still, she is pretty," he thought, "belle even." (beautiful)
He took in the softness of her face, the smooth white skin of her neck and the gentle curves of her body. Her expression was serene and sweet and without the perpetual scowl and icy glare, she really was quite pretty – even without all the jewelry. High cheekbones, long, thick lashes and full lips…
"…Kissable lips..." he reflected.
Gambit simply observed her for another moment before shaking himself. "Snap out of it homme,"(man) he chided silently, "dere's not time for dis."
But, regardless of his own advice, he paused briefly to indulge. He wondered what it would be like to touch that ivory skin… kiss those sweet, soft lips… gaze into those soulful, pained gray eyes…
"Scratch that – green – she has green eyes," he corrected as the eyes in questioned slowly flitted open a second and third time before finally meeting Gambit's gaze.
"Hmm?" she mumbled softly through the haze in her mind and body.
"Hey dere cherie (dear). Gambit's gonna get you outta here, okay?" He leaned close to her face and smiled gently at her.
"Wha-?" Rogue strained to sit up, to look around, to just move, but she fell back on the stone slab, exhausted.
"Shh. Easy now petite (little one)," he ushered as he brushed a strand of white hair from her face. As he did so, he made a point of brushing his thumb across her cheek and watched as her eyes went wide.
Rogue looked from Gambit's hand, up to his face and back again in both bewilderment and panic. However, fear quickly dominated her expression as the fog began lifting from her limbs and memories.
Gambit stroked her hair back away from her face once more and tried to whisper soothingly, "S' okay, you can touch f'r now. Apocalypse did sometin' t' your powers."
Realization finally dawned as Rogue's eyes grew wider and she gasped silently.
"What? Oh mah… Where-where am ah?" She was struggling to sit up and her voice was rising by the second as she finally propped herself up on her elbows and got a good look at her surroundings…
…and her clothes…
Gambit clamped his hand over her mouth before she could continue while sparing a quick glance at the doors.
"Shh! I don' know where exactly, but we're in one of Apocalypse's fortress t'ings and he's got guards everywhere, so ya gotta be quiet."
Gambit felt her body tense and she whimpered slightly as her eyes started to slide shut again.
"No, chere, don' go t' sleep," he brushed the back of his exposed fingers against her soft cheek and her eyes fluttered open once more.
"We gotta get ya outta here before Apocalypse comes back. I ain't gonna tell ya the whole story, but trus' me, ya don' wanna be 'round for what he's got planned. Don' worry though, Gambit's lookin' after ya and I won't let him touch you. Dat's a promise."
Rogue nodded silently. Her eyes were heavy and drooping from exhaustion, but the adrenaline was beginning to kick in and she fought valiantly to keep herself awake and alert. As she locked gazes with Gambit, he could read the fear and despair in them, but there was something else he couldn't quite describe. Some other emotion that eluded him…
Before he could properly evaluate the source of the feeling though, he heard Apocalypse's booming voice echo through the halls.
"We have an intruder! Go; search the temple! FIND HIM!!!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Gambit quickly scooped Rogue up under the knees and she tentatively draped a bare arm over his neck. Her whole body was trembling violently and she bit her lip to try and keep her chin from quivering as well.
*Rogue felt like she was in some kind of horrific nightmare. She'd known something wasn't right with her for the last few days, but couldn't figure it out. There had been visions of menacing eyes and phantom sensations caused by the painful tug of her powers, but she had assumed these were just typical nightmares – compounded, of course, by recent events…
Now, however, as she found herself in a foreign place, hardly able to move, wearing clothes that were not her own, and feeling like she was coming down from a bad run with some anesthesia (thank you Bobby Drake for those lovely memories of having your tonsils removed), she could barely keep herself from sobbing.
As much as her deepest inner sense of self abhorred the idea of showing any weakness, Rogue felt very much like a frightened child who had gotten lost in a cold, dark forest. Instead of finding herself in the comforting embrace of her family and friends, however, she was forced to trust one of her own enemies– a man who had, in fact, tried to kill her not so long ago – to SAVE her! *
Oblivious to her inner plight, Gambit scanned the room for an exit, a hiding place, ANYTHING that would keep the girl out that madman's clutches, but there was nothing.
They were trapped.
"You, come with me and protect my queen," they heard Apocalypse order to one of the stone guards just beyond the doors.
If possible, Rogue's eyes went wider and she had to forcibly hold back a sob.
Gambit dashed over to the only window in the room and peered out. At first, all he could see was the open, cloudless sky going on for miles and miles, but as he leveled his gaze he saw that they were surrounded by mountains on every side and trees that enshrouded the valley like a soft green blanket.
Gambit stuck his head through the window and cast his eyes down. They were at least ten stories up and straight below them was a wide, black, churning river.
So much for that escape path; they'd probably die instantly. He turned away and his eyes darted around the room for one, agonizingly slow second when the doors burst open and Gambit was forced to dive away from the window as the entire expanse of wall exploded behind him.
Twisting as he fell, Gambit cradled Rogue's body against him as he turned her away from the blast and simultaneously protected her from the rubble and the stone floor.
He landed hard on his side, but managed to shield Rogue from any major damage. She had buried her face into his shoulder so his arm and back took the brunt of the double impact. Despite the throbbing pain in his body, Gambit looked up quickly to watch Apocalypse and dropped Rogue's feet so she lay on the floor beside him while he carefully began to reach for his cards.
Apocalypse's eyes were glowing a furious shade of red as he bellowed, "Release my queen, mutant, and I will make your death slightly LESS painful!"
With one arm around Rogue's back, Gambit pulled them into a standing position and tucked her tightly against his side.
He pivoted so she was slightly behind him and he was now effectively standing between her and the most powerful mutant in the world with only a stack of cards and a bo-staff to defend himself.
Great odds…
Behind him, Rogue's strength was slowly returning, but she was still trembling madly as she clung desperately to Gambit's neck and stared on in silent horror.
The thief knew that if he released her to pull his cards, she would crumble to the ground instantly and would be vulnerable to attack, but really, he had no intention of doing so. Apocalypse would never risk hurting "his Queen" to get to Gambit. As long as Gambit had the girl, they might make it out of this alive – she was an instant insurance policy.
At least, he hoped so.
Gambit tightened his hold on Rogue as he looked Apocalypse up and down.
"Well monsieur (man), while Gambit does agree wit' de "queen" bit – She is tres belle, non? (very beautiful, no) An' dis dress…" he whistled low as he turned his gaze to Rogue's face and smiled reassuringly.
"Whew! C'est tres magnifique, mais (its very magnificent, but) I don' tink she's really into dat possessive 'mine' stuff, eh? She's more of the 'I'm my own woman and don' belong to nobody' kinda person. Sorry homme, not really your type."
Apocalypse's blue-ish face was rapidly altering to deeper shades of purple as Gambit spoke.
"How dare you defy me you insignificant pest!" he roared at last and raised his hand toward Gambit.
The young Cajun winced for the briefest moment, but relaxed when he realized he wasn't being vaporized.
The look on Rogue's face, however, was much worse than the pain of any laser beam.
Her entire body began convulsing and twisting in agony as tears sprung to her eyes and she lost her hold on Gambit's neck.
"Chere!" he called to her as she cried out and collapsed under the pain. He caught her up in his arms just before she hit the floor and cradled her gently in his lap.
"Ugh!" Rogue tried not to scream as another torrent ripped through her body. She bit down on her lip and drew blood instantly.
"You see mutant, she means nothing to me. I can put out her life as easily as blowing out a candle," Apocalypse sneered as he watched the pair with disinterest. "And I will do the same to you if you do not move away from her immediately!"
*Internally, Apocalypse knew that he could only torture his bride for so long. The new tactic was merely a ploy to make the Acolyte surrender. The girl was already halfway near utter exhaustion and would, hence, be easier to harm. Had he tried the same trick on Gambit, however, the mutant boy would have merely felt a tickle. And, if he was right, Gambit would be more concerned with the girl's suffering than his own.
Ah, what weak, malleable mortals…*
Unaware of Apocalypse's thoughts, Gambit's face nonetheless remained impassive as he stared down the ancient blue mutant.
"So be it," Apocalypse said and turned his back to the pair.
Rogue screamed.
It was long, loud and soul wrenching - the kind of scream one would expect to hear from a person who was suffering a slow, painful death. It was not the kind of scream Gambit ever wanted to hear from such a beautiful young woman and it tore at his heart.
Concern and shame marred Remy's features as he tried to soothe the now writhing girl. She continued to scream, though, as she thrashed about, and Gambit had to hold her arms down while he cradled her head tightly between his chest and elbow.
When he finally felt blood seeping from her ears and saw the viscous red fluid trickling from her nose, Gambit knew he had to end the madness despite any consequences to himself.
"Stop it," he said quietly.
Apocalypse chuckled, but still Rogue screamed in pain.
"Stop!" Gambit repeated more forcefully as Apocalypse continued laughing maniacally.
"Enough already! ARRETEZ!" (STOP) the Cajun screamed at last.
With a shuddering breath and a whimper, Rogue finally stopped convulsing and laid still, her eyes glassy and unfocused as she tried to remain conscious.
"Now, Remy Lebeau," Apocalypse resumed as he turned back to them, "deliver me my queen and I might spare your life. You could make an excellent horseman."
Hanging his head, Gambit nodded solemnly and met Rogue's pleading gaze as she mouthed a silent "no."
He closed his eyes and swallowed hard. Remy LeBeau couldn't see any way out of this and he couldn't just watch Rogue be tortured like that. It would be so much easier if Apocalypse would just kill him now and take the girl.
Gambit sighed and adjusted Rogue to cradle her in his arms again.
Sobbing, Rogue wrapped both her arms tightly around Gambit's neck. It was nearly strong enough to cut off his air.
"Please, please don't do this. Don't let him take me, please. Ah'll do anything! Ah'd rather die than be his slave! Oh gawd, Remy please," she begged weakly in his ear and began sobbing harder as he stood.
After feeling what Apocalypse could do to her, Rogue would rather jump through the window than let herself be delivered into the madman's – that is, if she COULD. Right now, her body was so weak she could barely breathe. She had absolutely zero control over herself and was running purely on instinct. The crying fit was proof enough of that…
Gambit's stomach lurched as Rogue cried his name. She was begging him to protect her from Apocalypse and yet he was seconds away from delivering her straight into the arms of the madman.
Straight into his awaiting … trembling … arms?
While Rogue cried loudly into his shoulder, Gambit stepped toward Apocalypse.
"Ow! Mon dieu (my god), my ankle! Here homme, y' better come take her. Gambit don' tink he can carry her," he urged while hobbling on his other foot.
Apocalypse paled almost imperceptibly, but did not move.
"I command you to bring her to me now!" he shouted instead.
But, being a master thief had its advantages and in this moment he couldn't be more thankful for his upbringing. He could smell the bluff a mile away.
"No, I really can't. Y' best come get her," Gambit ushered again as he noticed the fine sheen of sweat on Apocalypse's brow.
The man took a cautious step forward, but quickly braced himself on the stone altar that stood between them.
Mesmero lurched forward to support his distracted and weakened master.
"Get him!" Apocalypse shouted to the guards as he leaned heavily against the altar for support.
The two mechanical monsters lumbered forward and Gambit sprang into action.
The cards in his hands, previously imperceptible because of Rogue's dress, began to glow in bright fuchsia and he lobbed them toward one guard as the other took aim at him.
He barely heard Apocalypse's scream as he dodged the giant energy blast.
"Do not harm my Queen!!"
Readjusting his grip on Rogue, Gambit pulled her to him even tighter as the second guard fired, too late to heed his masters warning. Rolling across the floor with Rogue securely in his arms, the Cajun landed strategically between Apocalypse, Mesmero and the guard. The guard aimed again, and Gambit leaped out of the way– the ends of his coattails smoldering from the heat.
Apocalypse raised his hand and barely stopped the giant fireball from hitting him in the face. The strain from the effort, however, nearly doubled him over and the guard froze while Mesmero turned once more to his master's aide.
Gambit had found his moment and, while the group was distracted, he dashed to the gaping hole in the wall where the window once was. He set Rogue down on her feet, but continued to hold her up by the waist, knowing she was unable to do so herself.
The two locked gazes and Gambit asked quietly, "Trust me, Rogue?"
She swallowed and he could see the doubt in her eyes, but behind it, and perhaps more prominent, was that look same look that had eluded him just minutes ago.
"STOP THEM!!! STOP THEM NOW!!!" Apocalypse screeched as he tried to right himself.
Rogue whipped her head to see the guard lumbering toward them and, turning back to Gambit, she nodded with all the energy she could muster.
"Yes," she whispered simultaneously and Gambit felt that elusive emotion more prominently.
Releasing her waist for an instant, Gambit grabbed Rogue's hand and turned to face the gorgeous white capped mountains and lush green foliage. It would have been beautiful if they weren't about to die.
"Bien," he said quickly and, looking down at her one last time, he smiled, "Den we jump!"
He heard Rogue's audible gasp as he tugged her over the edge with him and then they plummeted, hand in hand, toward the dark waters below.
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Oh. My. God. That was so long and took FOREVER to write! Do you love the cliffhanger? I am a junky for these things!
Here's the new rule, just 'cause I'm evil like that: I pick a number for reviews and if I reach that number I update the same day/next day. IF NOT, I don't update for a week (but I will still update every week).
So, I'm currently at 74 reviews. Should we say oh, 26 more before I update again??? That would be 100 reviews and I will start working on another whopping chapter for it right away.
*cackles maniacally* This is too fun! I should hold my chapters for ransom more often!
I hope everyone enjoyed this one and if you have any suggestions for future content, ESPECIALLY scenes with the X-Men/Brotherhood/Acolytes I'm very welcoming.
Also, new challenge – I need ideas/ways to get Mystique un-stoned (no pun intended) without being too obvious or anticlimactic. I'm looking for something really clever and hopefully involving Kurt.
I don't want to use Agatha because she's been done and spells are too easy. If you've got an idea, please let me know.
Thanks again for reading everyone and I hope to have a bundle of reviews waiting for me on Monday!
Current Polls:
Higher Rating: 0 – same rating; lots – higher rating
Results: Sticking with "T" on this story and creating a second, nearly identical "Higher Rating" story for "M" details
Kitty/Lance/Peter/Kurt:
Kitty/Lance:1
Kitty/Peter:1
Kitty/Kurt:0
Thanks again everyone!
Love and light,
Wiccamage